RATE-CONSTANT FOR THE REACTION OF ATOMIC CHLORINE WITH ACETALDEHYDE FROM 210-K TO 343-K

The absolute rate constant for the reaction of atomic chlorine with acetaldehyde has been measured from 210 to 343 K by use of the flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique. The rate constant is shown to be independent of variations in [CH3CHO], total pressure (Ar), and, to a lesser extent, flash intensity (initial [Cl]). The rate constant is also independent of temperature over the range studied. The average of all experiments yields k1 = (6.6 ± 1.4) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, where the error limit is two standard deviations. This result is compared with previous measurements of k1, all of which were relative measurements at 298 K. We also compare the experimental value with that expected on the basis of previous results from our laboratory for reactions of Cl atoms with several oxygenated hydrocarbons. © 1990 American Chemical Society.