We have investigated thermal electron capture processes in the mixture
s of halomethanes and carbon dioxide (in excess) using the electron sw
arm method. We have found that except the very slow second order react
ions (single collision) there occur processes involving homo- (RX)(2)
or heterogeniouos (RXCO2) van der Waals complexes (multi-body pressure
dependent processes) which are at least a few times faster at atmosph
eric pressures. The mechanism and the kinetics of some of these proces
ses are presented.