The translational, rotational, and vibrational energy effects on the chemical reactivity of water cation H2O+(X 2B1) in the collision with deuterium molecule D2

Theoretical Insights into the Dynamics of Gas-Phase Bimolecular Reactions with Submerged Barriers

Much attention has been paid to the dynamics of both activated gas-phase bimolecular reactions, which feature monotonically increasing integral cross sections and Arrhenius kinetics, and their barrierless capture counterparts, which manifest monotonically decreasing integral cross sections and negative temperature dependence of the rate coefficients. In this Perspective, we focus on the dynamics of gas-phase bimolecular reactions with submerged barriers, which often involve radicals or ions and are prevalent in combustion, atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry, and plasma chemistry. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for such reactions is often non-Arrhenius and complex, and the corresponding dynamics may also be quite different from those with significant barriers or those completely dominated by capture. Recent experimental and theoretical studies of such reactions, particularly at relatively low temperatures or collision energies, have revealed interesting dynamical behaviors, which are discussed here. The new knowledge enriches our understanding of the dynamics of these unusual reactions.

Effects of bending excitation on the reaction dynamics of fluorine atoms with ammonia

Vibrational excitation has been established as an efficient way to control the chemical reaction outcome. Stretching vibration of polyatomic molecules is believed to be efficient to promote abstraction reactions since energy is placed directly into the breaking bond. In this work, we report on a counterexample showing that exciting the low-frequency umbrella bending mode of ammonia enhances its reaction with fluorine atoms much more than exciting the high-frequency symmetric or asymmetric stretching mode over a wide range of collision energy, validated using both quasiclassical trajectory simulations and full-dimensional quantum dynamics calculations under the centrifugal-sudden approximation. This interesting mode-specific reaction dynamic originates from the increased chance of capturing the fluorine atom by ammonia due to the enlarged attractive interaction between them and the enhancement of the direct stripping reaction mediated by two submerged barriers.

Chemical Activation of Water Molecule by Collision with Spin-Orbit-State-Selected Vanadium Cation: Quantum-Electronic-State Control of Chemical Reactivity

We have obtained absolute integral cross sections (σ's) for the reactions of spin-orbit-state-selected vanadium cations, V⁺[a⁵D_J(J = 0, 2), a⁵F_J(J = 1, 2), and a³F_J(J = 2, 3)], with a water molecule (H₂O) in the center-of-mass collision energy range E_cm = 0.1-10.0 eV. On the basis of these state-selected σ curves (σ versus E_cm plots) observed, three reaction product channels, VO⁺ + H₂, VH⁺ + OH, and VOH⁺ + H, from the V⁺ + H₂O reaction are unambiguously identified. Contrary to the previous guided ion beam study of the V⁺(a⁵D_J) + D₂O reaction, we have observed the formation of the VO⁺ + H₂ channel from the V⁺(a⁵D_J) + H₂O ground reactant state at low E_cm's (<3.0 eV). No spin-orbit J-state dependences for the σ curves of individual electronic states are discernible, indicating that spin-orbit interactions are weak with little effect on chemical reactivity of the titled reaction. For the three product channels identified, the triplet σ(a³F_J) values are overwhelmingly higher than the quintet σ(a⁵D_J) and σ(a⁵F_J) values, showing that the reaction is governed by a "weak quintet-triplet spin crossing" mechanism, favoring the conservation of total electron spins. The σ curves for exothermic product channels are found to exhibit a rapid decreasing profile as E_cm is increased, an observation consistent with the prediction of the charge-dipole and induced-dipole orbiting model. This experiment shows that the V⁺ + H₂O reaction can be controlled effectively to produce predominantly the VO⁺ + H₂ channel via the V⁺(a³F_J) + H₂O reaction at low E_cm's (≤0.1 eV) and that the ion-molecule reaction dynamics can be altered readily by selecting the electronic state of V⁺ cation. On the basis of the measured E_cm thresholds for the σ(a⁵D_J, a⁵F_J, and a³F_J: VH⁺) and σ(a⁵D_J, a⁵F_J, and a³F_J: VOH⁺) curves, we have deduced upper bound values of 2.6 ± 0.2 and 4.3 ± 0.3 eV for the 0 K bond dissociation energies, D₀(V⁺-H) and D₀(V⁺-OH), respectively. After correcting for the kinetic energy distribution resulting from the Doppler broadening effect of the H₂O molecule, we obtain D₀(V⁺-H) = 2.2 ± 0.2 eV and D₀(V⁺-OH) = 4.0 ± 0.3 eV, which are in agreement with D₀ determinations obtained by σ curve simulations.

Vibrational Excitation Hindering an Ion-Molecule Reaction: The c-C_{3}H_{2}^{+}-H_{2} Collision Complex

Experiments within a cryogenic 22-pole ion trap have revealed an interesting reaction dynamic phenomenon, where rovibrational excitation of an ionic molecule slows down a reaction with a neutral partner. This is demonstrated for the low-temperature hydrogen abstraction reaction c-C_{3}H_{2}^{+}+H_{2}, where excitation of the ion into the ν_{7} antisymmetric C-H stretching mode decreased the reaction rate coefficient toward the products c-C_{3}H_{3}^{+}+H. Supported by high-level quantum-chemical calculations, this observation is explained by the reaction proceeding through a c-C_{3}H_{2}^{+}-H_{2} collision complex in the entrance channel, in which the hydrogen molecule is loosely bound to the hydrogen atom of the c-C_{3}H_{2}^{+} ion. This discovery enables high-resolution vibrational action spectroscopy for c-C_{3}H_{2}^{+} and other molecular ions with similar reaction pathways. Moreover, a detailed kinetic model relating the extent of the observed product depletion signal to the rate coefficients of inelastic collisions reveals that rotational relaxation of the vibrationally excited ions is significantly faster than the rovibrational relaxation, allowing for a large fraction of the ions to be vibrationally excited. This result provides fundamental insight into the mechanism for an important class of chemical reactions, and is capable of probing the inelastic collisional dynamics of molecular ions.

Quantum state control on the chemical reactivity of a transition metal vanadium cation in carbon dioxide activation

By combining a newly developed two-color laser pulsed field ionization-photoion (PFI-PI) source and a double-quadrupole-double-octopole (DQDO) mass spectrometer, we investigated the integral cross sections (σs) of the vanadium cation (V+) toward the activation of CO2 in the center-of-mass kinetic energy (Ecm) range from 0.1 to 10.0 eV. Here, V+ was prepared in single spin-orbit levels of its lowest electronic states, a5DJ (J = 0-4), a5FJ (J = 1-5), and a3FJ (J = 2-4), with well-defined kinetic energies. For both product channels VO+ + CO and VCO+ + O identified, V+(a3F2,3) is found to be greatly more reactive than V+(a5D0,2) and V+(a5F1,2), suggesting that the V+ + CO2 reaction system mainly proceeds via a "weak quintet-to-triplet spin-crossing" mechanism favoring the conservation of total electron spins. In addition, no J-state dependence was observed. The distinctive structures of the quantum electronic state selected integral cross sections observed as a function of Ecm and the electronic state of the V+ ion indicate that the difference in the chemical reactivity of the title reaction originated from the quantum-state instead of energy effects. Furthermore, this work suggests that the selection of the quantum electronic states a3FJ (J = 2-4) of the transition metal V+ ion can greatly enhance the efficiency of CO2 activation.

Low temperature rates for key steps of interstellar gas-phase water formation

The gas-phase formation of water molecules in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) proceeds mainly via a series of reactions involving the molecular ions OH⁺, H₂O⁺, and H₃O⁺ and molecular hydrogen. These reactions form the backbone for the chemistry leading to the formation of several complex molecular species in space. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in these reactions in the ISM necessitates an accurate knowledge of the rate coefficients at the relevant temperatures (10 to 100 K). We present measurements of the rate coefficients for two key reactions below 100 K, which, in both cases, are significantly higher than the values used in astronomical models thus far. The experimental rate coefficients show excellent agreement with dedicated theoretical calculations using a novel ring-polymer molecular dynamics approach that offers a first-principles treatment of low-temperature barrierless gas-phase reactions, which are prevalent in interstellar chemical networks.

A quantum-rovibrational-state-selected study of the proton-transfer reaction H2+(X2Σ: v+ = 1-3; N+ = 0-3) + Ne → NeH+ + H using the pulsed field ionization-photoion method: observation of the rotational effect near the reaction threshold

Using the sequential electric field pulsing scheme for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser pulsed field ionization-photoion (PFI-PI) detection, we have successfully prepared H₂⁺(X²Σ: v⁺ = 1-3; N⁺ = 0-5) ions in the form of an ion beam in single quantum-rovibrational-states with high purity, high intensity, and narrow laboratory kinetic energy spread (ΔE_lab ≈ 0.05 eV). This VUV-PFI-PI ion source, when coupled with the double-quadrupole double-octupole ion-molecule reaction apparatus, has made possible a systematic examination of the vibrational- as well as rotational-state effects on the proton transfer reaction of H₂⁺(X²Σ: v⁺; N⁺) + Ne. Here, we present the integral cross sections [σ(v⁺; N⁺)'s] for the H₂⁺(v⁺ = 1-3; N⁺ = 0-3) + Ne → NeH⁺ + H reaction observed in the center-of-mass kinetic energy (E_cm) range of 0.05-2.00 eV. The σ(v⁺ = 1, N⁺ = 1) exhibits a distinct E_cm onset, which is found to agree with the endothermicity of 0.27 eV for the proton transfer process after taking into account of experimental uncertainties. Strong v⁺-vibrational enhancements are observed for σ(v⁺ = 1-3, N⁺) in the E_cm range of 0.05-2.00 eV. While rotational excitations appear to have little effect on σ(v⁺ = 3, N⁺), a careful search leads to the observation of moderate N⁺-rotational enhancements at v⁺ = 2: σ(v⁺ = 2; N⁺ = 0) < σ(v⁺ = 2; N⁺ = 1) < σ(v⁺ = 2; N⁺ = 2) < σ(v⁺ = 2; N⁺ = 3), where the formation of NeH⁺ is near thermal-neutral. The σ(v⁺ = 1-3, N⁺ = 0-3) values obtained here are compared with previous experimental results and the most recent state-of-the-art quantum dynamics predictions. We hope that these new experimental results would further motivate more rigorous theoretical calculations on the dynamics of this prototypical ion-molecule reaction.

Competition between the H- and D-atom transfer channels in the H2O+ + HD reaction: reduced-dimensional quantum and quasi-classical studies

The ion-molecule reaction between a water cation and a hydrogen molecule has recently attracted considerable interest due to its importance in astrochemistry. In this work, the intramolecular isotope effect of the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction is investigated using a seven-dimensional initial state-selected time-dependent wave packet approach as well as a full-dimensional quasi-classical trajectory method on a full-dimensional ab initio global potential energy surface. The calculated branching ratios for the formation of H₃O⁺ and H₂DO⁺via H- and D-transfer agree reasonably well with the experimental values. The preference to the formation of the H₃O⁺ product observed using the experiment at low collision energies is reproduced by theoretical calculations and explained by a one-dimensional effective potential model.

A quantum-rovibrational-state-selected study of the reaction in the collision energy range of 0.05-10.00 eV: translational, rotational, and vibrational energy effects

We report detailed absolute integral cross sections (σ's) for the quantum-rovibrational-state-selected ion-molecule reaction in the center-of-mass collision energy (E_cm) range of 0.05-10.00 eV, where (vvv) = (000), (100), and (020), and . Three product channels, HCO⁺ + OH, HOCO⁺ + H, and CO⁺ + H₂O, are identified. The measured σ(HCO⁺) curve [σ(HCO⁺) versus E_cm plot] supports the hypothesis that the formation of the HCO⁺ + OH channel follows an exothermic pathway with no potential energy barriers. Although the HOCO⁺ + H channel is the most exothermic, the σ(HOCO⁺) is found to be significantly lower than the σ(HCO⁺). The σ(HOCO⁺) curve is bimodal, indicating two distinct mechanisms for the formation of HOCO⁺. The σ(HOCO⁺) is strongly inhibited at E_cm < 0.4 eV, but is enhanced at E_cm > 0.4 eV by (100) vibrational excitation. The E_cm onsets of σ(CO⁺) determined for the (000) and (100) vibrational states are in excellent agreement with the known thermochemical thresholds. This observation, along with the comparison of the σ(CO⁺) curves for the (100) and (000) states, shows that kinetic and vibrational energies are equally effective in promoting the CO⁺ channel. We have also performed high-level ab initio quantum calculations on the potential energy surface, intermediates, and transition state structures for the titled reaction. The calculations reveal potential barriers of ≈0.5-0.6 eV for the formation of HOCO⁺, and thus account for the low σ(HOCO⁺) and its bimodal profile observed. The E_cm enhancement for σ(HOCO⁺) at E_cm ≈ 0.5-5.0 eV can be attributed to the direct collision mechanism, whereas the formation of HOCO⁺ at low E_cm < 0.4 eV may involve a complex mechanism, which is mediated by the formation of a loosely sticking complex between HCO⁺ and OH. The direct collision and complex mechanisms proposed also allow the rationalization of the vibrational inhibition at low E_cm and the vibrational enhancement at high E_cm observed for the σ(HOCO⁺).

Isotopic and quantum-rovibrational-state effects for the ion-molecule reaction in the collision energy range of 0.03-10.00 eV

We report detailed quantum-rovibrational-state-selected integral cross sections for the formation of H₃O⁺via H-transfer (σ_HT) and H₂DO⁺via D-transfer (σ_DT) from the reaction in the center-of-mass collision energy (E_cm) range of 0.03-10.00 eV, where (vvv) = (000), (100), and (020) and . The E_cm inhibition and rotational enhancement observed for these reactions at E_cm < 0.5 eV are generally consistent with those reported previously for H₂O⁺ + H₂(D₂) reactions. However, in contrast to the vibrational inhibition observed for the latter reactions at low E_cm < 0.5 eV, both the σ_HT and σ_DT for the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction are found to be enhanced by (100) vibrational excitation, which is not predicted by the current state-of-the-art theoretical dynamics calculations. Furthermore, the (100) vibrational enhancement for the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction is observed in the full E_cm range of 0.03-10.00 eV. The fact that vibrational enhancement is only observed for the reaction of H₂O⁺ + HD, and not for H₂O⁺ + H₂(D₂) reactions suggests that the asymmetry of HD may play a role in the reaction dynamics. In addition to the strong isotopic effect favoring the σ_HT channel of the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction at low E_cm < 0.5 eV, competition between the σ_HT and σ_DT of the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction is also observed at E_cm = 0.3-10.0 eV. The present state-selected study of the H₂O⁺ + HD reaction, along with the previous studies of the H₂O⁺ + H₂(D₂) reactions, clearly shows that the chemical reactivity of H₂O⁺ toward H₂ (HD, D₂) depends not only on E_cm, but also on the rotational and vibrational states of H₂O⁺(X²B₁). The detailed σ_HT and σ_DT values obtained here with single rovibrational-state selections of the reactant H₂O⁺ are expected to be valuable benchmarks for state-of-the-art theoretical calculations on the chemical dynamics of the title reaction.

A vacuum ultraviolet laser pulsed field ionization-photoion study of methane (CH4): determination of the appearance energy of methylium from methane with unprecedented precision and the resulting impact on the bond dissociation energies of CH4and CH4+

High-resolution VUV laser PFI-PI detection method for the study of quantum-state-selected unimolecular ion dissociation.

Quantum-state-selected integral cross sections for the charge transfer collision of O2+(a4Πu5/2,3/2,1/2,−1/2: v+= 1–2; J+) [O2+(X2Πg3/2,1/2: v+= 22–23; J+)] + Ar at center-of-mass collision energies of 0.05–10.00 eV

Study of spin–orbit and rovibronically selected ion-molecule reactions between O₂⁺(a⁴Π_u,ν⁺= 1–2; X²Π_g,ν⁺= 22–23) and Ar.

Comparison of experimental and theoretical quantum-state-selected integral cross-sections for the H2O+ + H2 (D2) reactions in the collision energy range of 0.04–10.00 eV

A combined experimental–theoretical study of the rovibrationally state-selected ion–molecule reactions H₂O⁺(X²B₁; v₁⁺v₂⁺v₃⁺; N_Ka+Kc+⁺) + H₂ (D₂) → H₃O⁺ (H₂DO⁺) + H (D), where (v₁⁺v₂⁺v₃⁺) = (000), (020), and (100) and N_Ka+Kc+⁺ = 0₀₀, 1₁₁, and 2₁₁.

Mode specific dynamics in the H2 + SH → H + H2S reaction

Full-dimensional quantum dynamics and quasi-classical trajectory studies indicate strong mode selectivity in the H₂ + SH reaction.

Self-reactions in the HCl+ (DCl+) + HCl system: a state-selective investigation of the role of rotation

The cross sections for the self-reaction of state-selected HCl⁺ (DCl⁺) ions with HCl are shown to depend characteristically on the rotational velocity of the ion relative to that of the neutral.