A tunable diode laser study of the reactions of nitric and nitrous acids: HNO3+NO and HNO2+O3

This study of the reactions of nitrous and nitric acids demonstrates a new application of tunable diode laser technology. The diode laser is used for the direct detection of HNO2 and HNO3 in a chemical kinetic system. We have established an upper limit for the rate constant for HNO3+NO→HNO2+NO2 [k1? (3.4±2) ×10−22 cm3/molecule⋅s] and have confirmed that nitrous acid is a product of this reaction. We have also established an upper limit for the rate constant for [HNO2+O3→HNO3+O2[k4? (4.5±3) ×10−19 cm3/molecule⋅s.]