CHEMICAL STEREODYNAMICS .1. POLARIZED ATO MS AND MOLECULES AS REAGENTS

An overview of the main experimental techniques and key results of dyn amical stereochemistry is presented. This first paper of the series is mainly devoted to reactive collisions with polarized atoms and molecu les. After a presentation of basic concepts and definitions, typical e xamples are described with a discussion of the physics underlying the current experimental techniques based on electrical field and laser in teractions. Essentially, the paper is intended to provide a clear unde rstanding and insight into the vectorial character of the dynamics of elementary chemical reactions.