Kinetics of the reaction O + ClO yields Cl + O2

The kinetics of the reaction O + ClO yields Cl + O2 (k1) were studied by using resonance fluorescence to monitor the decay of O atoms which had been generated from the laser photolysis of ClO. A discharge flow system was used to generate the ClO and its concentration was measured directly by multipass absorption spectrometry. The results are k1(298) = (4.2 + or -0.8) x 10 to the -11th cu cm/s (including systematic errors) with E/R determined to lie in the range + or - 200 K. The literature data are reviewed and a composite value of k1(T) = 6.0 x 10 to the -11th exp-(100/T) is recommended for stratospheric modeling calculations. The atmospheric implications of the revised rate constant are discussed briefly.