The Rate-Constant for the Recombination of Methyl Radicals

Abstract

Rate constants for the recombination of CH₃ radicals have been measured by means of the rotating sector technique in the temperature range 373- 463 K, and at a pressure of 30 Torr . CH₃ radicals were produced by the photolysis of acetone, and the experimental data were fitted to sector curves generated from Shepp's theory. The results give k_b = (2.81±0.22)×10¹³ cm³ mol^-1 s^-1, which, under the chosen experimental conditions, is close to its high-pressure limiting value. A comparison is made with the other values of the rate constant reported in the literature, and a best value is suggested.