REACTANT ROTATIONAL ENERGY EFFECT ON ENERGY-DISTRIBUTION IN PRODUCTS - THE ROLE OF THE ELECTRONIC ANGULAR-MOMENTUM

In reactions of O(D-1) with CH4 clusters, CD4 and propane, monomers an d clusters, preference for the (2) Pi(3/2) spin-orbit state of the OH product is observed. New results on the effect of the initial rotation al temperature of propane on the spin-orbit slates distribution are pr esented. The preference for the (2) Pi(3/2) state and the rotational e nergy effect are attributed to conservation of electronic angular mome ntum during curve crossing in the entrance channel and to conservation of the projection of the electronic angular momentum on the internucl ear axis through the reaction. A quantitative model rationalizes all t he experimental observations.