Reactions of H2, D2 with Hg(6 3P) or Hg(6 3P2): Product rotational state distributions

Abstract

The initial rotational state distributions of the HgH(v=0) and HgD(v=0) molecules produced in the reactions of Hg(6 ³P₀) with H₂, D₂ have been determined. These distributions differ from the ones previously determined with Hg in the 6 ³P₁ state. This difference may be due to the decrease of the reaction exothermicity when Hg(6 ³P₁) is replaced by Hg(6 ³P₀). As for the reaction with Hg(6 ³P₂), it seems from a time analysis that there is some production of molecules in the higher rotational levels, nevertheless more work is necessary to conclude about the Hg(6 ³P₂) reactivity.