The dissociation of carbon monoxide

The dissociation of CO diluted with noble gases has been studied in a shock tube. The reaction is complex and appears to involve a chain with C2 as the important intermediate. Other possibilities are discussed. The data were analysed with the aid of an electronic computer, and at temperatures around 8000 K the following reactions and rates are identified: O + C + M → CO + M, kr = 2 x 10-34 cm6 s-1; C + C + M → C2 + M, kr = 3 x 10-33 cm6 s-1; C2 + O → CO + C, k = 6 x 10-10 cm3 s-1; and O2 + C → CO + O, k = 5 x 10-10 cm3 s-1.