Semiclassical transition state theory for nonseparable systems: Application to the collinear H+H2 reaction

Abstract

Two different kinds of semiclassical approximations are used to evaluate a previously obtained quantum mechanical transition state theory rate expression. No assumptions, however, such as separability of the Hamiltonian, vibrationally adiabatic motion along a reaction coordinate, etc., are incorporated. Application is made to the collinear H+H2 reaction, and agreement with accurate quantum scattering calculations is found to be reasonably good. The results indicate that transition state theory—provided no assumptions of separability are included—is probably as accurate quantum mechanically as it has been found to be classically for describing the threshold of chemical reactions with an activation barrier.