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We experimentally determined complete fallo † curves of the rate constant for the unimolecular decomposition of ethoxy radicals. Two di †erent techniques, laser Ñash photolysis and fast Ñow reactor were used both coupled to a detection of radicals by laser induced Ñuorescence. Experiments were performed at total C 2 H 5 Op ressures between 0.001 and 60 bar of helium and in the temperature range of 391È471 K. Under these conditions the b-CÈC scission (1a)is the dominating decompositionFrom a complete analysis of the experimental fallo † curves the low and the high pressure limiting rate constants of 3.3 ] 10~8 exp([58.5 kJ mol~1/RT ) cm3 s~1 and exp([70.3 kJ k 1a,0 \ [He] k 1a,= \ 1.1 ] 1013 mol~1/RT ) s~1 were extracted. We estimate an uncertainty for the absolute values of these rate constants of ^30%. Preexponential factor and activation energy are signiÐcantly lower than previous estimations. The rate constants are discussed in terms of statistical unimolecular rate theory. Excellent agreement between the experimental and the statistically calculated rate constants has been found. BAC-MP4, QCISD(T), or higher level of theory provide a reliable picture of the energy and the structure of the transition state of this radical bond dissociation reaction. On the same theoretical basis we predict the high pressure limiting rate constant for the b-CÈH scission (1b) of exp([84 kJ CH 3 CH 2 O~] M ] CH 3 CHO ] H~] M k 1b,= \ 1.3 ] 1013 mol~1/RT ) s~1. Atmospheric implications are discussed.

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