Reaction dynamics of O(1<i>D</i>2)+H2, HD, D2: OH, OD(<i>X</i> 2Π<i>i</i>) 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.