Kinetics of metastable singlet NCl radicals

Abstract

Metastable singlet NCl radicals are generated in a discharge—flow system efficiently (25 %) by the reaction of Cl atoms and N₃ radicals: Cl(²P)+ N₃(X²Π_g)→ NCl(b¹∑⁺, a¹Δ, X³∑^–)+ N₂(X¹∑_g⁺). (1), Singlet NCl reacts with Cl₂ to form NCl₂ radicals, NCl*+ Cl₂→ NCl₂+ Cl. NCl₂ radicals were detected using mass spectrometry. The NCl(a¹Δ) state is the dominant precursor to NCl₂. Electronic energy transfer between NCl* and O₂ is shown to occur, generating singlet O₂.