The reaction of CO2 with active nitrogen

Atomic oxygen produced by the reaction of CO2 with active nitrogen has been measured by resonance absorption in a discharge‐flow system at 300 °K. The initial atomic oxygen production rate is found to be second order in atomic nitrogen concentration, and the effective termolecular rate constant for the process varies inversely with CO2 concentration. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of a mechanism in which CO2 is dissociated by energetic species of N2 formed by N recombination, possibly N2(A 3Σ+u) in high vibrational states.