Initial vibrational and rotational energy distributions of hydrogen fluoride produced in reactions F + H · R, where R = H, CH3, C2H5 and CHO

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting infrared emission from chemical reactions at low pressures under arrested relaxation conditions is described. It has been used to record the emission from hydrogen fluoride formed in the reaction of atomic fluorine with hydrogen, methane, ethane and formaldehyde. Information-theoretic analysis of the initial vibrational and rotational energy distributions for the latter three reactions have been made. The results of a classical trajectory study, using a l.e.p.s. potential energy surface, for the reaction between atomic fluorine and methane are presented.