Kinetics of the reaction of HO2 with NO2

The reaction of HO2 with NO2 has been studied using laser magnetic resonance detection of HO2 with a discharge‐flow system. The proposed reaction mechanism is HO2+NO2+M k1a→HOONO2+M, and HO2+NO2 k1b→HONO+O2. Measurements were made at 300 K over the pressure range 0.5–3 torr. HO2 concentrations down to 1010 molecules/cm3 were used to eliminate side reactions. The data were analyzed on the basis of the above mechanism and the results are kla(M) = (M=He)10.0±2.5, (M=N2)20.9±5.2,(M=O2) 15.1±3.8, and (M=NO2)66±30 in the units 10−32 cm6/molecule2 s and klb<3×10−15 cm3/molecule⋅s. These results indicate that HOONO2 is the major product of Reaction (1). This conclusion is in agreement with other recent measurements.