Reactive Scattering of Oxygen Atoms With Iodine Molecules

Abstract

Reactive scattering of O atoms with I₂ molecules has been studied at an initial translational energy E~43 kJ mol⁻¹ using cross-correlation time-of-flight analysis with resolution improved overprevious measurements. The broad centre-of-mass differential cross section favours the backward hemisphere with a product translational energy distribution lying above the distribution observed at lower initial translational energy but below the microcannonical RRHO distribution. However, a minor component with very low product translational energy favours the forward hemisphere. The observed scattering is attributed to a strongly bent OII triplet complex intermediate with a lifetime shorter than the period of overall rotation of the axis of the heavy II diatomic but long compared with the period of vibrational and rotational motion of the light O atom.