The K + ICH₃→ KI + CH₃reaction: Interpretation of the product angular and energy distributions in terms of a direct interaction model

Abstract

A three-body direct interaction model is used to calculate angular and kinetic energy distributions for the products of the K + ICH3 → KI + CH3 reaction. Experimental distributions can be rationalized consistently in terms of the model if the CH3-I interaction is dependent on the orientation of CH3I with respect to the incoming K atom. For this particular mass combination the shape of the angular distribution is seen to be a reflection of the steric effect (dependence of cross section on CH3I orientational angle), while the kinetic energy distribution is more sensitive to the shape of the potential energy surface for reaction. The presence of CH3I internal energy is shown to have a minor effect on the product distributions.