Absolute rate parameters for the reaction of O(3P) with H2CO over the temperature range 250 to 750 K

Absolute rate constants for the reaction of ground state oxygen atoms with formaldehyde were determined over the temperature range 298 to 748 K using the discharge flow‐resonance fluorescence technique. The results were combined with rate data from a flash photolysis‐resonance fluorescence study (250 to 498 K) of this reaction to obtain an Arrhenius expression that is linear from 250 to 748 K: k1(T) = (2.94±0.26) ×10−11 exp  (−3065±67/RT) cm3 molecule−1 s−1. This result is compared with those of previous studies and possible kinetic complications are discussed in terms of a detailed mechanism. The significance of an extrapolation of this determination of k1 to higher and lower temperatures is also discussed.