Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.114, No.1, 4-7, 2001
A complete look at a multiple pathway reaction: The reaction of O(D-1) with ethane
The O(D-1) atom reaction with ethane has been investigated using crossed molecular beam techniques. Four different reaction channels have been observed. Distinctive product angular distributions have also been observed for these reaction channels, indicating these reaction channels proceed via different dynamical pathways. These detailed experimental investigations provide a full dynamical picture of this reaction and also an important link between chemical reaction dynamics and kinetics studies. The experimental results presented here also provide an excellent test ground for developing quantitative theoretical understandings of multiple channel reaction dynamics for this interesting reaction.