Energy partitioning in O(1D2) reactions. III. O(1D2) + NH3 → OH(v′) + NH2

Abstract

The vibrational distribution in the OH created by the reaction of O(1D2) atoms with NH3 has been recorded directly using low pressure infrared emission spectroscopy. The relative kinetic energy of the reagents is Boltzmann at 300 K. The OH product vibrational levels are populated statistically, indicating that the reaction probably involves a long-lived ONH3 intermediate. There is some evidence that this may not be the case at higher reagent translational energies.