Rate coefficient for the gas phase reaction of NaOH with CO₂

The third‐order rate constants for NaOH + CO 2 + M were measured in a flow tube at 298 K. The rate constants for N 2 and N 2 O buffer gases are (1.3±0.3) × 10 −28 and (2.9±0.6) × 10 −28 cm 6 molecule −2 s −1 , respectively. We expect the product of this reaction, NaHCO 3 , to be relatively stable with respect to 0 atom reaction and photolysis and to be a dominant reservoir species for Na in the mesosphere. The association reaction of NaOH with CO 2 is at least 40 times faster than NaOH + HCl at all altitudes below the Na layer. Na species will not affect stratospheric ClO x and O 3 chemistry.