Rotationally inelastic and bound state dynamics of H2-OH(X2Π)

Dynamical Outcomes of Quenching: Reflections on a Conical Intersection

This review focuses on experimental studies of the dynamical outcomes following collisional quenching of electronically excited OH A2Σ+ radicals by molecular partners. The experimental observables include the branching between reactive and nonreactive decay channels, kinetic energy release, and quantum state distributions of the products. Complementary theoretical investigations reveal regions of strong nonadiabatic coupling, known as conical intersections, which facilitate the quenching process. The dynamical outcomes observed experimentally are connected to the local forces and geometric properties of the nuclei in the conical intersection region. Dynamical calculations for the benchmark OH-H2 system are in good accord with experimental observations, demonstrating that the outcomes reflect the strong coupling in the conical intersection region as the system evolves from the excited electronic state to quenched products.

Correlated ab initio investigations on the intermolecular and intramolecular potential energy surfaces in the ground electronic state of the O2(-)(X2Πg)-HF(X1Σ+) complex

This work reports the first highly correlated ab initio study of the intermolecular and intramolecular potential energy surfaces in the ground electronic state of the O(2)(-)(X(2)Π(g))-HF(X(1)Σ(+)) complex. Accurate electronic structure calculations were performed using the coupled cluster method including single and double excitations with addition of the perturbative triples correction [CCSD(T)] with the Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets aug-cc-pVnZ, n = 2-5. Also, the explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12a level of theory was employed with the AVnZ basis as well as the Peterson and co-workers VnZ-F12 basis sets with n = 2 and 3. Results of all levels of calculations predicted two equivalent minimum energy structures of planar geometry and C(s) symmetry along the A" surface of the complex, whereas the A' surface is repulsive. Values of the geometrical parameters and the counterpoise corrected dissociation energies (Cp-D(e)) that were calculated using the CCSD(T)-F12a/VnZ-F12 level of theory are in excellent agreement with those obtained from the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV5Z calculations. The minimum energy structure is characterized by a very short hydrogen bond of length of 1.328 Å, with elongation of the HF bond distance in the complex by 0.133 Å, and D(e) value of 32.313 Kcal/mol. Mulliken atomic charges showed that 65% of the negative charge is localized on the hydrogen bonded end of the superoxide radical and the HF unit becomes considerably polarized in the complex. These results suggest that the hydrogen bond is an incipient ionic bond. Exploration of the potential energy surface confirmed the identified minimum and provided support for vibrationally induced intramolecular proton transfer within the complex. The T-shaped geometry that possesses C(2v) symmetry presents a saddle point on the top of the barrier to the in-plane bending of the hydrogen above and below the axis that connects centers of masses of the monomers. The height of this barrier is 7.257 Kcal/mol, which is higher in energy than the hydrogen bending frequency by 909.2 cm(-1). The calculated harmonic oscillator vibrational frequencies showed that the H-F stretch vibrational transition in the complex is redshifted by 2564 cm(-1) and gained significant intensity (by at least a factor of 30) with respect to the transition in the HF monomer. These results make the O(2)(-)-HF complex an excellent prototype for infrared spectroscopic investigations on open-shell complexes with vibrationally induced proton transfer.

Coupled-states statistical investigation of vibrational and rotational relaxation of OH(2pi) by collisions with atomic hydrogen

We report state-to-state cross sections and thermal rate constants for vibrational and rotational relaxation of OH(2pi) by collision with H atoms. The cross sections are calculated by the coupled-states (CS) statistical method including the full open-shell character of the OH + H system. Four potential energy surfaces (PESs) ((1,3)A' and (1,3)A'') describe the interaction of OH(X2pi) with H atoms. Of these, three are repulsive, and one (1A') correlates with the deep H2O well. Consequently, rotationally and ro-vibrationally inelastic scattering of OH in collisions with H can occur by scattering on the repulsive PESs, in a manner similar to the inelastic scattering of OH by noble gas atoms, or by collisions which enter the H2O well and then reemerge. At 300 K, we predict large (approximately 1 x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) vibrational relaxation rates out of both v = 2 and v = 1, comparable to earlier experimental observations. This anomalously fast relaxation results from capture into the H2O complex. There exists a significant propensity toward formation of OH in the pi(A') lambda-doublet level. We also report state-resolved cross sections and rate constants for rotational excitation within the OH v = 0 manifold. Collisional excitation from the F1 to the F2 spin-orbit manifold leads to an inverted lambda-doublet population.

OH-H2ENTRANCE CHANNEL COMPLEXES

The entrance channel to the OH+H2-->H2O+H hydrogen abstraction reaction has been investigated from several different experimental approaches and complementary theoretical calculations. Weakly bound complexes between the hydroxyl radical and molecular hydrogen have been stabilized within a shallow well in the entrance channel and characterized via electronic spectroscopy on the OH A2Sigma+-X2Pi transition. Laser-induced fluorescence and fluorescence depletion experiments have revealed the binding energy of H2/D2 with ground state OH X2Pi radicals, the intermolecular energy levels supported by the OH A2Sigma+ (v'=0,1)+H2/D2 potential, and the OH-H2/D2 excited state dissociation limit. The OH X2Pi + H2 potentials have also been examined through inelastic scattering measurements on Lambda-doublet state-selected OH with normal or para-H2. Finally, photodetachment of an electron from the H3O- anion enabled the neutral reaction to be probed in conformations sampled by the two isomeric forms of the anion.