Nitric Oxide‐Fluorine Dilute Diffusion Flame

The dilute diffusion flame method for measuring the rates of fast gas reactions has been used to study the reaction 2NO+F₂=2ONF. The reaction proceeds with the emission of visible light, and photographic methods were used to obtain concentration profiles in space. The results were interpreted in terms of the mechanism[Complex chemical formula]The interpretation of results is somewhat ambiguous. The observed rate may be that for the first step, in which case the rate constant has a pre‐exponential factor of 6×10¹¹ cc/mole‐sec and an activation energy of 1.5±1.0 kcal between room temperature and dry ice temperature. Alternatively the observed rate may be a composite of at least four of the elementary steps given above. With a reasonable assignment of rate constants for the succeeding steps, the first alternative is favored, although the margin of safety is not great.