Nascent product population distribution in the reaction 16O(1D2)+H218O→16OH+18OH

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Abstract
Nascent rotational and vibrational population distributions for the reaction 16O(1D2)+H218O→16OH+18OH have been determined using laser induced fluorescence detection of both OH species. Distributions were corrected for quenching by H2O. The rotational distribution for ν‘=0 of 16OH is significantly hotter (19 500 K) than that obtained previously (2600 and 4600 K). In addition, rotational population in ν‘=0 of both OH species out to the thermochemical limit (9930 cm−1 ) cannot be explained by a model in which the OH rotational angular momenta of both fragments must be equal. Further evidence against that model is provided by the preferential population of Π(A’)Λ sublevels, with ν‘=0 and 1 having Λ population ratios of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively. The current data are better explained by an HOOH collision complex formed by insertion of 16O(1D2) into the H218O molecule. The complex probably has a relatively short lifetime, however, because the 16OH fragment is more rotationally and vibrationally excited than the 18OH fragment.