Angular momentum disposal and product rotational alignment in kinematically constrained reactions

Abstract

The translational energy dependence of product rotational alignment in kinematically constrained reactions of the type H + H′L → HH′+ L has been analysed in terms of a simple dynamical model, the constant product orbital angular momentum (CPOAM) model. Its predictions, which are found to approximate well the experimental dependence for the reaction Xe(³P₂)+ HBr → XeBr(B)+ H allow estimates of the division of angular momentum disposal between product rotation and orbital motion and of the exit impact parameter. The results are consistent with a strong contribution from angle-bending motion as the collision complex passes through the transition-state region.