Multidimensional molecular steric opacity function for XeCl*(B, C) formation in the oriented Xe* (³P₂, MJ = 2) + oriented CCl₃F reaction

Multidimensional steric effect for the XeF* (B, C) formation in the oriented Xe* ((3)P(2), M(J) = 2) + oriented NF(3) reaction

Steric effect for the XeF* (B, C) formations in the oriented Xe* ((3)P(2), M(J) = 2) + oriented NF(3) reaction has been observed as a function of the mutual configuration between the molecular orientation and the atomic orientation in the collision frame. Molecular steric opacity function has been determined as a function of the atomic orbital alignment (L(Z)') in the collision frame. The larger reactivity at the side with the smaller reactivity at the molecular axis direction is observed for the XeF* (B, C) channels at each atomic orbital alignment. A good correlation between the shape of the molecular steric opacity function and the molecular geometry of NF(3) is recognized. The L(Z)' selectivity in the molecular steric opacity function is different between the XeF* (B, C) channels; in the sideways direction, the XeF* (B) channel is favorable at L(Z)' = 0, while the XeF* (C) channel is favorable at |L(Z)'| = 1. In contrast, at the molecular axis direction, the XeF* (B) channel is favorable at |L(Z)'| = 1, while the XeF* (C) channel is favorable at L(Z)' = 0. We propose the collision-induced harpoon mechanism for the XeF* (B, C) formation in the Xe* ((3)P(2)) + NF(3) reaction.