H abstraction dynamics by crossed-beam velocity map imaging: Cl+CH3OH -> CH2OH+HCl

The crossed-beam reaction of ground state Cl (P-2(3/2)) atoms with CH3OH ha ve been studied using the technique of velocity map imaging (VELMI). The hy droxymethyl (CH2OH) radical was detected via single-photon ionization using 157 nm laser light. The full double-differential cross-sections were obtai ned at a collision energy of 8.7 kcal/mol. The angular distribution was pre dominantly in the sideways-backward direction with respect to the incoming alcohol beam suggesting direct abstraction dynamics. The average translatio nal energy release was 6.1 kcal/mol, out of 15.1 kcal/mol available. The te chnique of vacuum ultraviolet one-photon ionization in conjunction with VEL MI promises to be useful for studying the reaction dynamics for many polyat omic systems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.