Fast-flow study of the C plus NO and C+O-2 reactions

The C + NO and C + O-2 reactions were studied, at room temperature, in a lo w-pressure fast-flow reactor. C atoms were obtained from the reaction of CB r4 or CCL4 with potassium atoms and probed by their VUV resonance fluoresce nce. For C + NO, the overall rate constant was determined as (5.4+/-0.8)x 1 0(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and for C+O-2 as (2.5 +/- 0.4)x 10(-11) cm( 3) molecule s(-1). For the C + NO reaction, yielding N(D-2, S-4) + CO and O (P-3)+ CN, the atomic products were also probed by their VUV resonance fluo rescence. The [N(D-2)+ N(S-4)]/[O(P-3)] branching ratio was estimated as 1. 5 +/- 0.3. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.