Monte Carlo Calculations of Energy Partitioning and Isotope Effects in Reactions of Fluorine Atoms with H2, HD, and D2

Abstract

A total of 16 000 three‐dimensional classical trajectories on an optimized semiempirical potential energy surface were computed for collisions of F atoms with H₂, HD, and D₂. Analysis of the reactive trajectories indicates general agreement with results of infrared chemiluminescence and chemical laser studies with respect to the partitioning of the available energy among the translational, rotational, and vibrational degrees of freedom in the reaction products. Of particular interest is the calculated effect of reactant rotation on the reaction cross sections for all the isotropic systems, and on the intramolecular isotope effect in the reaction of F with HD. These phenomena have not as yet been seen experimentally.