The direct production of CO(v=1–9) in the reaction of O(3P) with the ethyl radical

Abstract

A new product channel that yields vibrationally excited CO(v=1–9) in the reaction of the ethyl radical with O(3P) is experimentally observed by time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy. The branching ratios for the different vibrational states are estimated to be 0.21±0.06, 0.27±0.03, 0.14±0.02, 0.08±0.02, 0.07±0.02, 0.07±0.02, 0.06±0.02, 0.05±0.02, and 0.05±0.02 for v=1–9, respectively. Previously, only the CH3+H2CO, CH3CHO+H, and C2H4+OH channels were known. Kinetics tests are provided to verify that the CO is produced directly in the reaction and not from secondary chemistry. The two possible new product channels are CO+CH4+H and CO+CH3+H2. The implications of this previously unexplored reaction channel for combustion chemistry and the possible mechanisms for this reaction are discussed.