Reactive scattering of alkali dimers : K2+SnCl4, CCl4, SiCl4, PBr3, PCl3, BBr3, CH2Br2

Abstract

Angular distribution measurements of KX reactive scattering of a potassium dimer K₂ beam by a series of polyhalide molecules are reported. Forward peaking of the centre of mass differential cross section is observed in all cases, contrasting vividly with the wide variation of differential cross sections in the alkali atom reactions. Both K atoms of the K₂ dimer become bound in some (possibly all) of the reactions studied. Reaction dynamics are direct or at most involve a short-lived complex with lifetime comparable to or less than the rotational period of the complex. An electron jump occurs in the entrance valley of the potential surface. A mechanism is suggested for the rapid subsequent transfer of the second K₂ valence electron.