Laser Flash Photolysis of HCIO, CIO⁻, HBrO, and BrO⁻ in Aqueous Solution. Reactions of Cl‐ and Br‐Atoms

Spectra and rate constants of reactions were measured of chlorine and bromine atoms formed by photolysis of aqueous solutions of hypochlorous and hypobromous acids and their salts with light of wavelength 248. 5 and 308 nm. Chlorine and bromine atoms in aqueous solution behave like weak oxygen acids showing the p K a‐values 5.1 and 10.5, respectively. Exchanges of water molecules bound to the halogen atoms are fast processes.