Wide-temperature range observations on reactions of metal atoms and small radicals

The role of metal species in combustion processes, whether as fuels, additives, or, (often toxic) impurities is described. Optimization and control of these, and other, high-temperature processes requires understanding and knowledge of the kinetics of the individual gas-phase reactions involved, leading to meaningful models. Our experimental techniques to study the reactions in isolation from each other are discussed. The equipment used allows measurements in the approximately 300-1800 K temperature range, at pressures from 10-1000 mbar. Semi-empirical techniques have been developed to predict the temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for further reactions. Recent findings show that association and insertion reactions can play an important role in cases where abstraction was thought to be the operative mechanism.