Steric effects in total integral reaction cross sections for Sr+HF(v=1,j=1,m=0)→SrF+H

Differential steric effects in the inelastic scattering of NO(X) + Ar: spin-orbit changing transitions

Spin-orbit changing transitions for bond-axis oriented collisions of NO(X) with Ar have been investigated with full quantum state selection via a crossed molecular beam experiment at collision energies of 532 cm^-1 and 651 cm^-1. NO(X) molecules were selected in their ground rotational state (Ω = 0.5, j = 0.5, f) before being adiabatically oriented using a static electric field, such that either the N- or O-end of the molecule was directed towards the incoming Ar atom. After collision, NO(X, Ω' = 1.5, j', e) molecules were probed quantum state specifically using velocity-map ion imaging, coupled with resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization. Differences were observed between the experimental ion images and differential cross sections for collisions occurring at the two ends of the molecule, with results that could largely be accounted for by quantum mechanical scattering calculations. The bond-axis oriented data for the spin-orbit changing collisions are compared with similar results obtained previously for spin-orbit conserving transitions, and for field free scattering of NO(X) with Ar.

Integral steric asymmetry in the inelastic scattering of NO(X2Π)

The integral steric asymmetry for the inelastic scattering of NO(X) by a variety of collision partners was recorded using a crossed molecular beam apparatus. The initial state of the NO(X, v = 0, j = 1/2, Ω=1/2, ϵ=-1,f) molecule was selected using a hexapole electric field, before the NO bond axis was oriented in a static electric field, allowing probing of the scattering of the collision partner at either the N- or O-end of the molecule. Scattered NO molecules were state selectively probed using (1 + 1') resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionisation, coupled with velocity-map ion imaging. Experimental integral steric asymmetries are presented for NO(X) + Ar, for both spin-orbit manifolds, and Kr, for the spin-orbit conserving manifold. The integral steric asymmetry for spin-orbit conserving and changing transitions of the NO(X) + O₂ system is also presented. Close-coupled quantum mechanical scattering calculations employing well-tested ab initio potential energy surfaces were able to reproduce the steric asymmetry observed for the NO-rare gas systems. Quantum mechanical scattering and quasi-classical trajectory calculations were further used to help interpret the integral steric asymmetry for NO + O₂. Whilst the main features of the integral steric asymmetry of NO with the rare gases are also observed for the O₂ collision partner, some subtle differences provide insight into the form of the underlying potentials for the more complex system.

A new perspective: imaging the stereochemistry of molecular collisions

The concept of the steric effect plays a central role in chemistry. This Perspective describes how the polarization of reactant molecules in space can be used to probe directly the steric effect, and highlights some of the new measurements that are made possible by coupling reactant orientation and alignment with ion imaging techniques.

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

The steric effect for the XeCl*(B, C) formations in the oriented Xe* (³P₂, MJ = 2) + oriented CCl₃F reaction has been observed as a function of the mutual configuration between the molecular orientation and the atomic orbital alignment in the collision frame. Molecular steric opacity functions have been determined as a function of the atomic orbital alignment (M(L)') in the collision frame. The XeCl*(B, C) channels show similar molecular steric opacity functions at M(L)' = 0 but not at |M(L)'| = 1. The large molecular alignment dependence (i.e., the reactivity of the Cl₃ end and the F end is comparable, but a very poor reactivity for the sideway) is recognized for the XeCl*(B, C) channels except for the XeCl*(C) channel at |M(L)'| = 1, which shows an almost isotropic molecular orientation dependence. The M(L)' selectivity is different between the XeCl*(B, C) channels. At the molecular axis direction, the XeCl*(B) channel has little M(L)' selectivity whereas the XeCl*(C) channel is significantly favorable at M(L)' = 0. On the other hand, |M(L)'| = 1 is favorable at the sideway for the XeCl*(B, C) channels.