Product Branching Ratios for O(³P) Atom and ClO Radical Formation in the Reactions of O(¹D) with Chlorinated Compounds

Product branching ratios for the formation of O( 3 P) atoms and ClO radicals in the reactions of the electronically excited oxygen O( 1 D) atoms with chlorofluorocarbons, chloromethanes, and hydrofluoromethanes were measured at room temperature. O( 3 P 2 ) atoms and ClO radicals were detected directly using the technique of vacuum ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence. The results are compared with previous investigations, and reaction mechanisms for the product branchings are discussed. Sums of the branching ratios for O( 3 P) atom and ClO radical formation are almost unity for O( 1 D) + chlorofluorocarbons, while the sums are less than unity for O( 1 D) + chloromethanes. Upper limit values of the O( 3 P) formation yield for O( 1 D) + H 2 O, D 2 O, and CH 4 were also determined.