Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.101, No.5, 3662-3670, 1994
Resonances in the Ch+n-2-)Hcn+n(S-4) Reaction - The Dynamics of a Spin-Forbidden Process
The dynamics of the CH+N-2(X (1) Sigma(g)(+))-->HCN+N(S-4) reaction is studied theoretically for the first time. A simple two-dimensional model is developed, treating the reaction dynamics on the doubler and on the quarter Born-Oppenheimer surfaces of CHN2 by exact quantum mechanics and the coupling between the two electronic states within first-order perturbation theory. Summation over total angular momentum states is carried out within the J-shifting approximation and the Boltzmann rate constant is computed over the temperature range of interest for combustion T less than or similar to 1700 K. The reaction probability exhibits a rich resonance pattern, manifesting the existence of long-lived quasibound intermediate states on both the doubler and the quartet surfaces. These resonances affect the dynamics profoundly, being the driving force behind the spin-changing reaction. The thermal rate constant increases with temperature in an Arrhenius type fashion and in qualitative agreement with high-temperature experiments.
Keywords:DISCRETE VARIABLE REPRESENTATION;ABSORBING BOUNDARY-CONDITIONS;REACTION CH(X2-PI)+N2(X1-SIGMA-G+)-)HCN(X1-SIGMA+)+N(4S);THEORETICAL TREATMENT;ROOM-TEMPERATURE;CROSS-SECTIONS;RATE CONSTANTS;MECHANISM;COMBUSTION;SCATTERING