Reaction dynamics of O(1D2)+H2, HD, D2: OH, OD(X 2Πi) product internal energy distributions

Abstract

Partial internal energy distributions of the hydroxyl reaction products of O(¹D)+H₂, HD, and D₂ reactions are presented. Inverted rotational distributions, preferential population of the π⁺ lambda doubling sublevels, and statistical population of the spin sublevels are observed. A slight preferential formation of the OD vs OH reaction products observed is measured for the reaction of O(¹D)+HD. Surprisal analysis of these results indicates both dynamical and kinematic constraints on the reaction dynamics. Comparison of these results with published model calculations suggest that an insertion mechanism to form a highly energetic collision complex dominates the reaction dynamics.