STATE-RESOLVED STEREODYNAMICS OF AN INSERTION REACTION O(D-1(2))-2(V=0,J)-]OH(X-2-PI(I)V',N',F')+H(H)

The product state-resolved stereodynamics of the reaction of O(D-1(2)) with H-2 have been studied at 300 K at a mean collision energy of ca. 12 kJ mol(-1), using polarized, Doppler-resolved laser-induced fluore scence to probe the scattered products, OH(X-2 Pi,; v' = 0, N', f'), a nd polarized photodissociation of N2O to provide the reagent O(D-1(2)) atoms. Product state-resolved differential cross sections, rotational polarizations, and excitation functions are in very good qualitative agreement with the results of quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calcula tions, conducted on the Schinke-Lester, SL1 ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the ground electronic state of the collision comple x. The experimental and computational results are compared with those obtained in a complementary study of the reaction of O(1D,) with CH, a nd remarkable parallels have been exposed. The linear and angular mome ntum vector correlations are all consistent with an ''insertion'' mech anism, proceeding over an attractive PES, which presents no entrance b arrier.