The dissociation of carbon monoxide

The dissociation of CO diluted with noble gases has been studied in a shock tube. The reaction is complex and appears to involve a chain with C$_2$ as the important intermediate. Other possibilities are discussed. The data were analysed with the aid of an electronic computer, and at temperatures around 8000 K the following reactions and rates are identified: O + C + M $\rightarrow$ CO + M, k$_r$ = 2 x 10$^{-34}$ cm$^6$ s$^{-1}$; C + C + M $\rightarrow$ C$_2$ + M, k$_r$ = 3 x 10$^{-33}$ cm$^6$ s$^{-1}$; C$_2$ + O $\rightarrow$ CO + C, k = 6 x 10$^{-10}$ cm$^3$ s$^{-1}$; and O$_2$ + C $\rightarrow$ CO + O, k = 5 x 10$^{-10}$ cm$^3$ s$^{-1}$.