The reaction between ground state (P-3) oxygen atoms and allene was st
udied under single collision conditions using the crossed molecular be
ams method. Product angular distributions and the translational energy
distribution were determined for each channel. Two major reaction cha
nnels could be identified unambiguously: the formation of carbon monox
ide and ethylene following oxygen atom attack on the central carbon at
om, and the formation of allenyloxy (formyl-vinyl) radical and hydroge
n atom following oxygen atom attack on the terminal carbon atom. In ad
dition, at least one other reaction channel, which could be identified
as the production of vinyl and formyl radicals, occurs. This channel
involves the decomposition of acrolein which is formed by the addition
of oxygen to the terminal carbon atom, followed by 1,2-hydrogen migra
tion.