Rate constants of the reactions of metastable N2(<i>A</i> 3Σ+<i>u</i>) in <i>v</i>=0, 1, 2, and 3 with ground state O2 and O

Abstract

Overall rate constants for the removal of N2(A,v) by O2 and O were measured at 298 K in a rapidly pumped flow reactor using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of N2(A,v) by excitation in the first positive system of N2, B(3πg)←A(3Σ+u). O atoms were generated in microwave discharges of pure O2 prepared by thermal decomposition of KMnO4. Measured rate constants for N2(A,v)+O2 increased from 2.5×10−12(v=0) to 5.7×10−12 cm3 s−1(v=3). For N2(A,v)+O(3P), they were an order of magnitude larger, rising from 3.5×10−11(v=(0) to 5.2×10−11 cm3 s−1(v=3). They are compared with previous work and discussed in terms of the likely molecular interaction that they represent.