State-Resolved Stereodynamics of an Insertion Reaction O(1D2) + H2(v = 0, j) → OH(X2Πi; v′, N′, f′) + H

The product state-resolved stereodynamics of the reaction of O(¹D₂) with H₂ have been studied at 300 K at a mean collision energy of ca. 12 kJ mol⁻¹, using polarized, Doppler-resolved laser-induced fluorescence to probe the scattered products, OH(X²Π_i; v′ = 0, N′, f′), and polarized photodissociation of N₂O to provide the reagent O(¹D₂) atoms. Product state-resolved differential cross sections, rotational polarizations, and excitation functions are in very good qualitative agreement with the results of quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations, conducted on the Schinke-Lester, SL1 ab initio potential energy surface (PES) for the ground electronic state of the collision complex. The experimental and computational results are compared with those obtained in a complementary study of the reaction of O(¹D₂) with CH₄ and remarkable parallels have been exposed. The linear and angular momentum vector correlations are all consistent with an “insertion” mechanism, proceeding over an attractive PES, which presents no entrance barrier.