The Ultraviolet Flash Photolysis of Ozone and the Reactions of O(1D) and O2(1Σg+)

The decomposition of ozone has been studied following a short duration u.v. light pulse. From an analysis of the O3 decomposition curves for O3:N2, O3:N2:O2 and O3:O2 mixtures it is shown that the relative rate constant for O(1D) deactivation by N2 and O2 is given by [Formula: see text]It is also shown that O2(1Σg+) is formed in at least 75% of the collisions in which O(1D) is deactivated by O2. The rate constants of the reactions O2(1Σg+) + O3 → 2O2+O and O + O2 + O2 → O3 + O2 are found to be (2.3 ± 0.5) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and (5.0 ± 0.5) × 10−34 cm6 molecule−2 s−1, respectively, at (295 ± 1) °K.