FT-IR product studies of the Cl-initiated oxidation of CH₃Cl in the presence of NO

The Cl-atom initiated oxidation of CH₃Cl has been studied at 296 K using two different FTIR/environmental chamber systems. In the presence of NO, the carbon-bearing products observed are HCOCl, HCHO, and CO, with yields in 700 Torr of air of (56 ± 10), (32 ± 6), and (12 ± 5)%, respectively. This product distribution is different from previous studies conducted in the absence of NO, in which a nearly 100% yield of HCOCl was obtained. The different product distribution observed in the presence of NO is attributed to the formation and subsequent decomposition of chemically activated CH₂ClO₂ radicals, formed in the exothermic reaction of CH₂ClO₂ with NO.