Kinetics of the reaction O + ClO yields Cl + O2

The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction O + ClO yields Cl + O2 has been measured over the temperature range 236-422 K in a discharge flow system using atomic oxygen resonance fluorescence at 130 nm to monitor the decay of O in an excess of ClO. The results are found to be independent of the method used to produce the ClO radical. At 296 K, the rate constant is given by (3.6 + or - 0.7) x 10 to the -11th cu cm/sec and the temperature dependence expressed in Arrhenius form by k2 = (5.0 + or - 1.0) x 10 to the -11th exp-(96 + or - 20)/T cu cm/sec. The results are compared with earlier values, and the implications for stratospheric chemistry are discussed briefly.