The kinetics of the reactions of CN radicals with several small primary alcohol molecules were studied by transient infrared laser absorption spectroscopy. Direct time-resolved detection of CN was used to determine total rate constants. In addition, HCN and DCN products were detected in order to estimate the branching ratios of the CN + CH 3 OH reaction. We find that abstraction of an alkyl hydrogen atom dominates the CN + CH 3 OH reaction, but a small, ~8% yield of hydroxyl hydrogen abstraction is also observed.

The products of the reaction of CH2OH with NO were studied by infrared diode laser spectroscopy. Products were detected to determine the branching ratios of the CH2OH + NO reaction. HNCO was detected in 10.3 ± 2% yields. No other products were detected in significant quantities, indicating that adduct formation is the primary reaction pathway. Ab initio calculations of the potential energy surface show a low energy pathway to HNCO + H2O, but no other bimolecular channels, in agreement with the experiments.