The H+N2O→OH(2ΠΩ, v′, N′)+N2 reaction: the microscopic mechanism at 1.5 eV

Abstract

OH state-resolved angular scattering and kinetic energy release distributions for the reaction H+N₂O→N₂+OH have been determined for the OH products born in the upper ²Π_1/2 spin–orbit state. Also presented are OH spin–orbit population propensities, and OH quantum state-resolved energy disposal data. The scattering dynamics show no sign of a dependence on OH spin–orbit state, despite a two-fold preferential population in favour of the lower OH spin–orbit state. The new data are discussed in the light of our own previous studies of the title reaction generating ground spin–orbit state OH products, and in the light of studies by other workers. Particular insight about the reaction mechanism is provided by the comparison with the photodissociation dynamics of HN₃. The comparison is especially useful in aiding the interpretation of the OH quantum state dependence of the angular scattering distributions in the H+N₂O reaction.