The reaction of NO with ClO has been studied theoretically using density-functional and wave function methods (B3LYP and CCSD(T)). Although a barrier for cis and trans additions could be located at the RCCSD(T) and UCCSD(T) levels, no barrier exists at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level. Variational transition state theory on a CASPT2(12,12)/ANO-L//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) surface was used to calculate the rate constants for addition. The rate constant for cis addition was faster than that for trans addition (cis:trans 1:0.76 at 298 K). The rate constant data summed for cis and trans addition in the range 200-1000 K were fit to a temperature-dependent rate in the form k(dis) = 3.30 x 10(-13) T-0.5881 exp(305/T) cm(3) . molecule(-1) .s(-1), which is in good agreement with experiment. When the data are fit to an Arrhenius plot in the range 200-400 K, an activation barrier of -0.35 kcal/mol is obtained. The formation of CINO2 from ONOCl has a much higher activation enthalpy from the trans isomer compared to the cis isomer. In fact, the preferred decomposition pathway from trans-ONOCl to NO2 + Cl is predicted to go through the cis-ONOCl intermediate. The trans -> cis isomerization rate constant is k(iso) = 1.92 x 10(13) exp(-4730/T) s(-1) using transition state theory.