Thermal Decomposition of Benzyl Radicals: Kinetics and Spectroscopy in a Shock Tube.Understanding the mechanism of high-temperature reactions of aromatic hydrocarbons and radicals is essential for the modeling of hydrocarbon growth processes in combustion environments.  In this study, the thermal decomposition reaction of benzyl radicals was investigated using time-resolved broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy behind reflected shock waves at a postshock pressure of 100 kPa and temperatures of 1530, 1630, and 1740 K. The transient absorption spectra during the decomposition were recorded over the spectral range of 282-410 nm. 
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