Investigation into quenching of O(D-1) by HF and F-2

Quenching of O(D-1) atoms by HF and F-2 is studied by the time resolved las er magnetic resonance (LMR) method at room temperature. It is reliably esta blished that O(D-1) is quenched by these molecules with rate constants (5.1 +/-1.0) . 10(-11) and (8.1+/-2.0) . 10(-12), respectively, and the rate con stants for the reactions of O(D-1) with these species equal (1.5+/-0.3) . 1 0(-11) and (8.1+/-2.0) . 10(-12), respectively. Distinctions among the O(D- 1)+HX (X=F, Cl, Br) reactions are discussed. Difference in mechanism betwee n the O(D-1) + F-2 and O(D-1) + Cl-2 reactions is explained on the quantita tive level, based on quantum-chemical computations. The upper bounds to the rate constants for the F+N2O-->FO+N-2 and Cl+N2O-->ClO+N-2 reactions are e stimated at <10(-14) and <2.10(-15) cm(3)/s respectively.