Infrared Chemiluminescence from the Reaction of Oxygen Atoms with Chloroethylenes

Infrared chemiluminescence from vibrationally excited CO and from vibrationally excited HCl was observed when C2H3Cl, 1,1-C2H2Cl2, cis- and trans-1,2-C2H2Cl2, or C2HCl3was introduced into a stream of oxygen atoms. The mechanisms describing the reactions of oxygen atoms with these molecules are discussed in detail. The initial step is postulated to involve the formation of an aldehyde and a carbene. The reaction step responsible for the formation of CO†is postulated to beand for HCl†