Chloryl nitrate: a novel product of the chlorine oxide (OClO) + nitrate radical + M recombination

The products of the reaction of OClO with NO3 were investigated between 220 and 298 K using a flow reactor and infrared, visible, and ultraviolet analysis. At temperatures below 250 K new infrared and ultraviolet absorption features were observed and assigned to the novel compound chloryl nitrate (OZClON02). Additionally, ClO and NOz were observed as reaction products, indicating the existence of a second reaction channel. 02C10NO2 formation predominates at temperatures below 230 K. The reaction rate constant at 220 K is estimated to be on the order of cm3 molecule-l s-’ in 1-5 Torr of helium. These observations suggest that OzC10N02 may exist in the terrestrial stratosphere.