Rate constants for formation of NO in vibrational levels v = 2 through 7 from the reaction N(4S)+O2→NO‡+O

Abstract

Vibration–rotation spectra of the Δv = 2 sequence of the nitric oxide formed by the chemiluminescent reaction N(4 S)+O2→NO(X 2Π)+O have been obtained with a spectral resolution of 15 cm−1. Emission bands due to N2O were observed to occur in the same spectral region as the first overtone of NO. These were experimentally eliminated and the resulting NO spectra were used to derive rate constants for formation of NO in vibrational levels v = 2 through v = 7. In units of 10−19 cm3/sec, these room temperature rate constants are, respectively, 55±14, 57±9, 33±3, 24±4, 7±2, and 5±2. Of all the nitric oxide molecules formed in the reaction, only 18% are formed in levels v?2. In terms of energy, of the 1.39 eV exothermicity of the reaction, about 10% goes into vibrational energy in levels v?2.