Ab initio molecular orbital theory, in combination with FTIR spectroscopy, has been used to determine a second-order rate constant for the hydrogen abstraction reaction involving bromoform and chlorine atom. The rate constant for the reaction is determined to be 2.7 +/-0.2 x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 298 K. Ab initio molecular orbital theory calculations at the QCISD(T)/6-311G(d,p)//MP2/6-31G(d) level of theory predict the barrier for the hydrogen abstraction reaction to be 1.6 kcal mol(-1). It has also been determined that, in the presence of oxygen, the reaction will lead to a one-to-one conversion of bromoform into carbonyl dibromide. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.