Quantum Dynamics of Nonadiabatic Renner-Teller Effects in Atom + Diatom Collisions.

We review the quantum nonadiabatic dynamics of atom + diatom collisions due to the Renner-Teller (RT) effect, i.e., to the Hamiltonian operators that contain the total spinless electronic angular momentum L̂. As is well-known, this rovibronic effect is large near collinear geometries when at least one of the interacting states is doubly degenerate. In general, this occurs in insertion reactions and at short-range, where the potential wells exhibit deep minima and support metastable complexes. Initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, and thermal rate constants are calculated via the real wavepacket method, solving the equation of motion with an approximated or with an exact spinless RT Hamiltonian. We present the dynamics of 10 single-channel or multichannel reactions showing how RT effects depend on the product channels and comparing with the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) approximation or coexisting conical-intersection (CI) interactions. RT effects not only can significantly modify the adiabatic dynamics or correct purely CI results, but also they can be very important in opening collision channels which are closed at the BO or CI level, as in electronic-quenching reactions. In the OH(A2Σ+) + Kr electronic quenching, where both nonadiabatic effects (CI and RT) coexist, they are in competition because CI dominates the reactivity but RT couplings reduce the large CI cross section and open a CI-forbidden evolution toward products, so that CI + RT quantum results are in good agreement with experimental or semiclassical findings. The different roles of these couplings are due to the unlike nuclear geometries where they are large: rather far from or near to linearity for CI or RT, respectively. The OH(A2Σ+) + Kr electronic quenching was investigated with the exact RT Hamiltonian, validating the approximated one, which was employed for all other collisions.

Non-adiabatic quantum dynamics of the electronic quenching OH(A2Σ+) + Kr.

We present the dynamics of the electronic quenching OH(A2Σ+) + Kr(1S) → OH(X2Π) + Kr(1S), with OH(A2Σ+) in the ground ro-vibrational state. This study relies on a new non-adiabatic quantum theory that uses three diabatic electronic states Σ+, Π', and Π'', coupled by one conical-intersection and nine Renner-Teller matrix elements, all of which are explicitly considered in the equation of the motion. The time-dependent mechanism and initial-state-resolved quenching probabilities, integral cross sections, thermal rate constants, and thermally-averaged cross sections are calculated via the real wavepacket method. The results point out a competition among three non-adiabatic pathways: Σ+ ↔ Π', Σ+ ↔ Π'', and Π' ↔ Π''. In particular, the conical-intersection effects Σ+-Π' are more important than the Renner-Teller couplings Σ+-Π', Σ+-Π'', and Π'-Π''. Therefore, Π' is the preferred product channel. The quenching occurs via an indirect insertion mechanism, opening many collision complexes, and the probabilities thus present many oscillations. Some resonances are still observable in the cross sections, which are in good agreement with previous experimental and quasi-classical findings. We also discuss the validity of more approximate quantum methods.

Non-adiabatic Quantum Dynamics of the Dissociative Charge Transfer He++H2 → He+H+H.

We present the non-adiabatic, conical-intersection quantum dynamics of the title collision where reactants and products are in the ground electronic states. Initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, total integral cross sections, and rate constants of two H2 vibrational states, v 0 = 0 and 1, in the ground rotational state (j 0 = 0) are obtained at collision energies E coll ≤ 3 eV. We employ the lowest two excited diabatic electronic states of HeH 2 + and their electronic coupling, a coupled-channel time-dependent real wavepacket method, and a flux analysis. Both probabilities and cross sections present a few groups of resonances at low E coll, whose amplitudes decrease with the energy, due to an ion-induced dipole interaction in the entrance channel. At higher E coll, reaction probabilities and cross sections increase monotonically up to 3 eV, remaining however quite small. When H2 is in the v 0 = 1 state, the reactivity increases by ~2 orders of magnitude at the lowest energies and by ~1 order at the highest ones. Initial-state resolved rate constants at room temperature are equal to 1.74 × 10-14 and to 1.98 × 10-12 cm3s-1 at v 0 = 0 and 1, respectively. Test calculations for H2 at j 0 = 1 show that the probabilities can be enhanced by a factor of ~1/3, that is ortho-H2 seems ~4 times more reactive than para-H2.

Nonadiabatic Renner-Teller quantum dynamics of OH(X2Π) + H+ reactive collisions.

Following previous studies on the O(3P) + H2+(X2Σg+) collisions, we present the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of the reactions OH(X2Π) + H'+ → OH'(X2Π) + H+, exchange (e), → OH+(X3Σ-) + H'(2S), quenching (q), and → OH'+ (X3Σ-) + H(2S), exchange-quenching (eq). The reactants and products correlate via the ground X[combining tilde]2A'' and first excited Ã2A' electronic states of OH2+, which are the degenerate components of linear 2Π species. Therefore, they are strongly perturbed by nonadiabatic Renner-Teller (RT) effects, opening the (q) and (eq) channels that are closed in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Using accurate potential energy surfaces (PESs) and RT matrix elements, initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, real-time dynamics, cross sections, and rate constants of the product channels are obtained through the time-dependent real wavepacket (WP) method and full coupled-channel calculations. Owing to the nonadiabatic couplings, the WP jumps from the excited Ã2A' surface to the X[combining tilde]2A'' ground PES, avoiding any barrier, opening the quenching channels, and giving many collision complexes into the deep minima of both PESs, as it is clearly shown by the oscillations of the reaction probabilities and by the time-dependent WP dynamics. All the results show that the nonadiabatic-RT channels (q) and (eq) are highly reactive, much more than the adiabatic one (e), pointing out large RT effects. The reactivity of the quenching channels is similar, accounting for 97% of the overall reactivity. In fact, the maximum values of the (q) and (eq) cross sections σq and σeq are equal to 31.6 Å2, whereas the maximum σe value equals 1.34 Å2, and the maximum values of the rate constants kq, keq, and ke are 2.07 × 10-10, 2.45 × 10-10, and 0.23 × 10-10 cm3 s-1. Some calculations show that the centrifugal-sudden and the truncated coupled-channel approximations cannot be employed for the (q) channel. After a sharp increase at the threshold, σq and σeq decrease at larger collision energies while σe and the rate constants depend slightly on the collision energy and temperature, respectively. These findings are consistent with the barrierless nature of both PESs and the exoergicity of the quenching products, with the small role played by the centrifugal and RT barriers in the reactant channel, and with the large RT couplings in the OH2+ intermediates. Finally, we contrast the present results with those for the opposite reactions O + H2+ and for the nonadiabatic-induced quenchings NH + H' and OH + H'.

Born-Oppenheimer and Renner-Teller Quantum Dynamics of CH(X(2)Π) + D((2)S) Reactions on Three CHD Potential Surfaces.

The quantum dynamics of three CH(X(2)Π) + D((2)S) reactions is studied by means of the coupled-channel time-dependent real-wavepacket (WP) and flux methods at collision energy Ecol ≤ 0.6 eV and on three potential energy surfaces (PESs): the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) ground PES X̃(3)A″ and the excited ones ã(1)A' and b̃(1)A″, coupled by nonadiabatic (NA) Renner-Teller (RT) effects. This three-state model is suitable for obtaining initial-state-resolved observables, is based on a complete analysis of the correlation diagram of the lowest electronic states of the CHD intermediate and of their NA interactions, and neglects the smaller coupling effects due to the asymptotic electronic angular momenta that become important in state-to-state dynamics. WPs are propagated on each PES at total angular momentum values J ≤ 70, with CH in the two lowest vibrational states v0 and in the ground rotational state j0 = 1. Reaction probabilities are obtained for three possible final products (f): (dP) CH decay and C((3)P) + HD(X(1)Σ(+)) formation that occurs on the uncoupled ground PES, (dD) CH decay and C((1)D) + HD(X(1)Σ(+)) formation that depends on the RT-coupled singlet species, and (ex) exchange to CD(X(2)Π) + H((2)S) available adiabatically from the X̃(3)A″ PES and nonadiabatically from ã(1)A' and b̃(1)A″. Observable cross sections σf,v0j0 and rate constants kf,v0j0 in the temperature range T = 100-2000 K are obtained for (dP), (dD), and (ex) channels. Comparing BO with RT probabilities, we show that NA effects are important at high J values for the (ex) channel at v0 = 1. Real time mechanisms on the three PESs show that RT couplings are opened after some time and clearly point out the formation of the product channels. Both cross sections and rate constants present the same sequence, for example σex,11 > σdP,01 ∼ σex,01 > σdP,11 ≫ σdD,11 ≫ σdD,01, and the CH vibrational excitation enhances the total removal CH+D reactivity by a factor of ∼1.7, mainly due to the increase of the (ex) channel contribution from ∼47% at v0 = 0 to ∼76% at v0 = 1. This fact implies a considerable vibrational enhancement of combustion processes at high temperature. In agreement with the probability results, the ã(1)A'/b̃(1)A″ RT coupling increases both σex,11 and kex,11 up to ∼30%. Moreover, including the three PESs in the dynamics simulation of CH+D increase by far the (ex)/(dP) branching ratio with respect to the CH + H' reaction. Thus, at room temperature, kdP,01 changes from 10.8 × 10(-11) to 3.4 × 10(-11) cm(3) s(-1) substituting H atom by D.

Born-Oppenheimer and Renner-Teller coupled-channel quantum reaction dynamics of O((3)P) + H2(+)(X(2)Σg(+)) collisions.

We present Born-Oppenheimer (BO) and Renner-Teller (RT) time dependent quantum dynamics studies of the reactions O((3)P) + H2(+)(X(2)Σg(+)) → OH(+)(X(3)Σ(-)) + H((2)S) and OH(X(2)Π) + H(+). We consider the OH2(+) X[combining tilde](2)A'' and Ã(2)A' electronic states that correlate with a linear (2)Π species. The electronic angular momenta operators L[combining circumflex] and L[combining circumflex](2) are considered in nonadiabatic coupled-channel calculations, where the associated RT effects are due to diagonal V(RT) potentials that add up to the PESs and to off-diagonal C(RT) couplings between the potential energy surfaces (PESs). Initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities PI, integral cross sections σI, and rate constants kI are obtained using recent ab initio PESs and couplings and the real wavepacket formalism. Because the PESs are strongly attractive, PI have no threshold energy and are large, σI decrease with collision energy, and kI depend little on the temperature. The X[combining tilde](2)A'' PES is up to three times more reactive than the Ã(2)A' PES and H2(+) rotational effects (j0 = 0, 1) are negligible. The diagonal V(RT) potentials are strongly repulsive at the collinearity and nearly halve all low-energy observables with respect to the BO ones. The off-diagonal C(RT) couplings are important at low partial waves, where they mix the X[combining tilde](2)A'' and Ã(2)A' states up to ∼20%. However, V(RT) effects predominate over the C(RT) ones that change at most by ∼19% the BO values of σI and kI. The reaction O((3)P) + H2(+)(X(2)Σg(+)) → OH(+)(X(3)Σ(-)) + H((2)S) is probably one of the most reactive atom + diatom collisions because its RT rate constant at room temperature is equal to 2.26 × 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1). Within the BO approximation, the present results agree rather well with recent quasiclassical and centrifugal-sudden data using the same PESs.

Quantum dynamics of the reaction H((2)S) + HeH(+)(X(1)Σ(+)) → H2(+)(X(2)Σg(+)) + He((1)S) from cold to hyperthermal energies: time-dependent wavepacket study and comparison with time-independent calculations.

We present the adiabatic quantum dynamics of the proton-transfer reaction H((2)S) + HeH(+)(X(1)Σ(+)) → H2(+)(X(2)Σg(+)) + He((1)S) on the HeH2(+) X̃(2)Σ(+) RMRCI6 (M = 6) PES of C. N. Ramachandran et al. ( Chem. Phys. Lett. 2009, 469, 26). We consider the HeH(+) molecule in the ground vibrational­rotational state and obtain initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities and the ground-state cross section σ0 and rate constant k0 by propagating time-dependent, coupled-channel, real wavepackets (RWPs) and performing a flux analysis. Three different wavepackets are propagated to describe the wide range of energies explored, from cold (0.0001 meV) to hyperthermal (1000 meV) collision energies, and in a temperature range from 0.01 to 2000 K. We compare our time-dependent results with the time-independent ones by D. De Fazio and S. Bovino et al., where De Fazio carried out benchmark coupled-channel calculations whereas Bovino et al. employed the negative imaginary potential and the centrifugal-sudden approximations. The RWP cross section is in good agreement with that by De Fazio, except at the lowest collision energies below ∼0.01 meV, where the former is larger than the latter. However, neither the RWP and De Fazio results possess the huge resonance in probability and cross section at 0.01 meV, found by Bovino et al., who also obtained a too low σ0 at high energies. Therefore, the RWP and De Fazio rate constants compare quite well, whereas that by Bovino et al. is in general lower.

Conical-intersection quantum dynamics of OH(A2Σ+) + H(2S) collisions.

We present the conical-intersection quantum dynamics of the nonreactive quenching (NQ) OH(A(2)Σ(+)) + H'((2)S) → OH(X(2)Π) + H'((2)S), exchange (X) OH(A(2)Σ(+)) + H'((2)S) → OH'(A(2)Σ(+)) + H((2)S), exchange-quenching (XQ) OH(A(2)Σ(+)) + H'((2)S) → OH'(X(2)Π) + H((2)S), and reaction (R) OH(A(2)Σ(+)) + H'((2)S) → O((1)D) + H2(X(1)Σg (+)) collisions. We obtain initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants by considering OH in the ground vibrational state and in the rotational levels j0 = 0, 1, 2, and 5. Coupled-channel real wavepackets (WPs) on the X̃(1)A(') and B̃(1)A(') coupled electronic states are propagated by using the Dobbyn and Knowles diabatic potential surfaces and coupling [A. J. Dobbyn and P. J. Knowles, Mol. Phys. 91, 1107 (1997) and A. J. Dobbyn and P. J. Knowles, Faraday Discuss. 110, 207 (1998)], and performing asymptotic or flux analysis. NQ is the preferred product channel, followed by XQ, R, and X. Moreover, the nonadiabatic quenching processes account for more than 80% of the total rate constants. WP snapshots show a reaction mechanism in good agreement with reaction probabilities. NQ, XQ, and R cross sections, and NQ rate constants decrease with the collision energy and j0, whereas the X reactivity increases, and XQ and R rates are nearly constant with j0. In general, quantum rate constants are smaller than experimental or quasiclassical data.

Nonadiabatic dynamics of O(1D) + N2(X1Σg+) → O(3P) + N2(X1Σg+) on three coupled potential surfaces: symmetry, Coriolis, spin-orbit, and Renner-Teller effects.

We present the spin-orbit (SO) and Renner-Teller (RT) quantum dynamics of the spin-forbidden quenching O((1)D) + N(2)(X(1)Σ(g)(+)) → O((3)P) + N(2)(X(1)Σ(g)(+)) on the N(2)O X(1)A', ã(3)A", and b(3)A' coupled PESs. We use the permutation-inversion symmetry, propagate coupled-channel (CC) real wavepackets, and compute initial-state-resolved probabilities and cross sections σ(j(0)) for the ground vibrational and the first two rotational states of N(2), j(0) = 0 and 1. Labeling symmetry angular states by j and K, we report selection rules for j and for the minimum K value associated with any electronic state, showing that ã(3)A" is uncoupled in the centrifugal-sudden (CS) approximation at j(0) = 0. The dynamics is resonance-dominated, the probabilities are larger at low K, σ(j(0)) decrease with the collision energy and increase with j(0), and the CS σ(0) is lower than the CC one. The nonadiabatic interactions play different roles on the quenching dynamics, because the X(1)A'-b(3)A' SO effects are those most important while the ã(3)A"-b(3)A' RT ones are negligible.

Nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of C(1D)+H2→CH+H: coupled-channel calculations including Renner-Teller and Coriolis terms.

The Renner-Teller (RT) coupled-channel dynamics for the C((1)D)+H(2)(X(1)Σ(g) (+))→CH(X(2)Π)+H((2)S) reaction has been investigated for the first time, considering the first two singlet states ã̃(1)A' and b(1)A'' of CH(2) dissociating into the products and RT couplings, evaluated through the ab initio matrix elements of the electronic angular momentum. We have obtained initial-state-resolved probabilities, cross sections and thermal rate constants via the real wavepacket method for both coupled electronic states. In contrast to the N((2)D)+H(2)(X(1)Σ(g)(+)) system, RT effects tend to reduce probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants in the low energy range compared to Born-Oppenheimer (BO) ones, due to the presence of a repulsive RT barrier in the effective potentials and to long-lived resonances. Furthermore, contrary to BO results, the rate constants have a positive temperature dependence in the 100-400 K range. The two-state RT rate constant at 300 K, lower than the BO one, remains inside the error bars of the experimental value.

Quantum dynamics of Renner-Teller and isotopic effects in NH(a1Δ) + D(2S) reactions.

A quantum dynamics study for the NH(a(1)Δ) + D((2)S) reactions using coupled channel time dependent real wavepacket formalism is presented. Moreover, the Renner-Teller (RT) interactions between two electronic states of NHD (X[combining tilde](2)A'' and Ã(2)A') have been taken into account by means of semiempirical RT matrix elements. The introduction of RT effects opens the possibility of studying not only the adiabatic reactions [depletion (d) to N((2)D) + HD(X(1)Σ(+)) and exchange (e) to ND(a(1)Δ) + H((2)S)] but also nonadiabatic ones [quenching (q) to NH(X(3)Σ(-)) + D((2)S) and exchange-quenching (eq) to ND(X(3)Σ(-)) + H((2)S)]. Reaction probabilities, cross sections, isotopic effects, and rate constants are presented for all the before mentioned reactions. RT results are compared with Born-Oppenheimer, quasiclassical, and experimental data. Contrasting with previous NH + H results, we point out interesting RT and isotopic effects, which depend on the D and H masses and on the tunneling of the H atom. In fact, RT effects, near-threshold cross sections, and rate constants are smaller in NH + D than in NH + H, as expected from the masses of the attacking atoms. Our rate constants and quenching branching ratio agree well with previous quasiclassical and experimental data, validating the semiempirical RT coupling we employ. Some small differences between calculated and measured rate constants might be due to the theoretical approximations and to the large experimental error bars.

Quantum dynamics of the C(1D)+HD and C(1D)+n-D2 reactions on the ã 1A' and b 1A" surfaces.

We present the Born-Oppenheimer, quantum dynamics of the reactions C((1)D)+HD and C((1)D)+n-D(2) on the uncoupled potential energy surfaces ã (1)A' and b (1)A", considering the Coriolis interactions and the nuclear-spin statistics. Using the real wavepacket method, we obtain initial-state-resolved probabilities, cross sections, isotopic branching ratios, and rate constants. Similarly to the C+n-H(2) reaction, the probabilities present many ã (1)A' or few b (1)A" sharp resonances, and the cross sections are very large at small collision energies and decrease at higher energies. At any initial condition, the C+HD reaction gives preferentially the CD+H products. Thermal cross sections, isotopic branching ratios, and rate constant k vary slightly with temperature and agree very well with the experimental values. At 300 K, we obtain for the various products k(CH+H)=(2.45+/-0.08) x 10(-10), k(CD+H)=(1.19+/-0.04) x 10(-10), k(CH+D)=(0.71+/-0.02) x 10(-10), k(CD+D)=(1.59+/-0.05) x 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1), and k(CD+H)/k(CH+D)=1.68+/-0.01. The b (1)A" contribution to cross sections and rate constants is always large, up to a maximum value of 62% for a rotationally resolved C+D(2) rate constant. The upper b (1)A" state is thus quite important in the C((1)D) collision with H(2) and its deuterated isotopes, as the agreement between theory and experiment shows.

Born-Oppenheimer quantum dynamics of the C((1)D)+H(2) reaction on the CH(2) ã (1)A(1) and b (1)B(1) surfaces.

We present the Born-Oppenheimer coupled-channel dynamics of the reaction (12)C((1)D)+(1)H(2)(X (1)Sigma(g) (+))-->CH(X (2)Pi)+H((2)S), considering the uncoupled CH(2) states ã (1)A(1) and b (1)B(1), the permutation-inversion symmetry, and Coriolis interactions. Using accurate MRCI potential energy surfaces (PESs), we obtain initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants through the time-dependent, real wavepacket (WP) and flux methods, taking into account the proton-spin statistics for both electronic species. Comparing results on both PESs, we point out the role of the b (1)B(1) upper state on the initial-state-resolved dynamics and on the thermal kinetic rate. WP probabilities at J=0 and cross sections at E(col)=0.080 eV agree quite well with quantum-mechanical time-independent findings. Probabilities and WP snapshots show the different reaction mechanisms on the PESs, i.e., an ã (1)A(1) indirect perpendicular insertion and a b (1)B(1) direct sideways collision, associated with many and few sharp resonances, respectively. All cross sections are very large at low E(col), decrease at high energies, and that of the lowest reactant state presents some weak resonances. As the temperature increases from 100 to 400 K, the ã (1)A(1) rate constant increases slightly from 1.37x10(-10) to 1.43x10(-10) cm(3) s(-1), whereas the b (1)B(1) one decreases from 1.30x10(-10) to 0.98x10(-10) cm(3) s(-1). In this temperature range, the b (1)B(1) contribution to the total rate constant thus decreases from 49% to 41%. At 300 K, the WP and experimental rates are equal to (2.45+/-0.08)x10(-10) and (2.0+/-0.6)x10(-10) cm(3) s(-1), respectively.

Rotational, steric, and coriolis effects on the F + HCl --> HF + Cl reaction on the 1(2)A' ground-state surface.

We present a quantum study of the reaction F((2)P) + HCl(X(1)Sigma(+)) --> HF(X(1)Sigma(+)) + Cl((2)P) on a recently computed 1(2)A' ground-state surface, considering HCl in the ground vibrational state, with up to 16 rotational quanta j(0). We employ the real wavepacket (WP) and flux methods for calculating coupled-channel (CC) and centrifugal-sudden (CS) initial-state probabilities up to J = 80 and 140, respectively. We also report CC and CS ground-state cross sections and CS excited-state cross sections and discuss the dynamics analyzing WP time evolutions. The HCl rotation highly enhances reaction probabilities and cross sections, as it was previously found for probabilities at J

Quantum dynamics of NH(a(1)Delta)+H reactions on the NH(2) A (2)A(1) surface.

We present the Born-Oppenheimer dynamics of the depletion reaction NH(a(1)Delta)+H(')-->N((2)D)+H(2) and of the exchange one NH(a(1)Delta)+H(')-->NH(')(a(1)Delta)+H, using the real wavepacket and flux methods and an accurate NH(2)(A (2)A(1)) surface. We report coupled-channel reaction probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants, taking into account Coriolis couplings. Because the surface is barrierless and strongly bound, probabilities have small centrifugal thresholds and present sharp and large resonances, associated with long-lived collision complexes. Large J's enhance the high-energy reactivity and favor the exchange reaction, owing to the negative Coriolis couplings, and to K that inhibits depletion but not exchange. Coriolis couplings are important in the collision complexes, and the centrifugal sudden approximation thus gives large errors. Cross sections are large at the threshold and minimal at intermediate collision energies and increase moderately at larger energies. Exchange is preferred, and both reactions are inhibited by the NH rotational excitation. Finally, the present rate constants are in good agreement with previous experimental and semiclassical results.

Renner-Teller coupled-channel dynamics of the N(2D)+H2 reaction and the role of the NH2 A2A1 electronic state.

We present Renner-Teller (RT) and Born-Oppenheimer (BO) coupled-channel (CC) dynamics of the reaction (14)N((2)D)+(1)H(2)(X (1)Sigma(g) (+))-->NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+H((2)S), considering both NH(2) coupled electronic states, X (2)B(1) and A (2)A(1), and Coriolis interactions. We use the best available potential energy surfaces (PESs), and we obtain initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants through the real wavepacket and flux methods, taking into account the nuclear-spin statistics for both electronic states. Contrasting RT-CC with more approximate results, we point out the role of RT and Coriolis couplings, and discuss the importance of the A (2)A(1) excited state on the initial-state-resolved dynamics and on the thermal kinetic rate. Confirming the previous results, RT couplings transfer partly the reactivity from X (2)B(1) to A (2)A(1), and CC calculations are necessary to obtain accurate high-energy cross sections. When H(2) is initially rotating, RT couplings enhance strongly the electronic-state-resolved A (2)A(1) reactivity. Considering the nuclear-spin statistics for both electronic states, we find out that the A (2)A(1) state plays a significant role in the rotationally resolved dynamics of N((2)D)+ortho-H(2). However, the BO-X (2)B(1) approximation gives a thermal rate that is slightly smaller than the one obtained by the RT-CC calculations. This implies that this usual approximation is acceptable to calculate unresolved kinetic data of the title reaction. Our calculated rate constant values within the 213-300 K temperature interval are in excellent agreement with the experimental ones.

Coriolis coupling effects on the initial-state-resolved dynamics of the N(2D)+H2-->NH+H reaction.

We present Coriolis coupling effects on the initial-state-resolved dynamics of the insertion reaction N((2)D)+H(2)(X (1)Sigma(g) (+))-->NH(X (3)Sigma(-) and a (1)Delta)+H((2)S), without and with nonadiabatic Renner-Teller (RT) interactions between the NH(2) X (2)B(1) and A (2)A(1) electronic states. We report coupled-channel (CC) Hamiltonian matrix elements, which take into account both Coriolis and RT couplings, use the real wave-packet and flux methods for calculating initial-state-resolved reaction probabilities, and contrast CC with centrifugal-sudden (CS) results. Without RT interactions, Coriolis effects are rather small up to J=40, and the CS approximation can be safely employed for calculating initial-state-resolved, integral cross sections. On the other hand, RT effects are associated with rather large Coriolis couplings, mainly near the linearity of NH(2), and the accuracy of the CS approximation thus breaks down at high collision energies, when the reaction starts on the excited A (2)A(1) surface. We also present the CC-RT distribution of the X (3)Sigma(-) and a (1)Delta electronic states of the NH products.

Searching for resonances in the reaction Cl+CH4-->HCl+CH3: quantum versus quasiclassical dynamics and comparison with experiments.

A quantum-mechanical (QM) and quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) study was performed on the title reaction, using a pseudotriatomic ab initio based surface. Probabilities and integral cross sections present some clear peaks versus the collision energy E(col), which we assign to Feshbach resonances of the transition state, where the light H atom oscillates between the heavy Cl and CH(3) groups. For ground-state reactants, reactivity is essentially of quantum origin (QCT observables and oscillations are smaller, or much smaller, than QM ones), and the calculated integral cross section and product distributions are in reasonable agreement with the experiment. The reaction occurs through an abstraction mechanism, following both a direct and an indirect mechanism. The quasiclassical trajectory calculations show the participation of a short-lived collision complex in the microscopic reaction mechanism. Finally, QCT differential cross sections of Cl+CH(4)-->HCl (nu(')=0 and 1)+CH(3) oscillate versus E(col), whereas experimentally this only occurs for HCl (nu(')=1). This theoretical result and other oscillating properties found here could, however, be related to the existence of a Feshbach resonance for the production of HCl (nu(')=1), as suggested by experimentalists.

Renner-Teller quantum dynamics of the N(2D) + H2-->NH + H reaction.

We present the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) and Renner-Teller (RT) quantum dynamics of the reaction (14)N((2)D)+(1)H(2)(X (1)Sigma(g) (+))-->NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+H((2)S), considering the NH(2) electronic states X (2)B(1) and A (2)A(1). These states correlate to the same (2)Pi(u) linear species, are coupled by RT nonadiabatic effects, and give NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+H and NH(a (1)Delta)+H, respectively. We develop the Hamiltonian matrix elements in the R embedding of the Jacobi coordinates and in the adiabatic electronic representation, using the permutation-inversion symmetry, and taking into account the nuclear-spin statistics. Collision observables are calculated via the real wave-packet (WP) and flux methods, using the potential-energy surfaces of Santoro et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 106, 8276 (2002)]. WP snapshots show that the reaction proceeds via an insertion mechanism, and that the RT-WP avoids the A (2)A(1) potential barrier, jumping from the excited to the ground surface and giving mainly the NH(X (3)Sigma(-)) products. X (2)B(1) BO probabilities and cross sections show large tunnel effects and are approximately four to ten times larger than the A (2)A(1) ones. This implies a BO rate-constant ratio k(X (2)B(1))k(A (2)A(1)) approximately 10(5) at 300 K, i.e., a negligible BO formation of NH(a (1)Delta). When H(2) is rotationally excited, RT couplings reduce slightly the X (2)B(1) reaction observables, but enhance strongly the A (2)A(1) reactivity. These couplings are important at all collision energies, reduce the collision threshold, and increase remarkably reaction probabilities and cross sections. The RT k(A (2)A(1)) is thus approximately 3.3 order of magnitude larger than the BO value, and degeneracy-averaged, initial-state-resolved rate constants increase by approximately 13% and by approximately 47% at 300 and 500 K, respectively. Owing to an overestimation of the X (2)B(1) potential barrier, the calculated thermal rate is too low with respect to that observed, but we obtain a good agreement by shifting down the calculated cross section.

Quantum real wave-packet dynamics of the N(4S)+NO(X2Pi)-->N2(X1Sigma(g)+)+O(3P) reaction on the ground and first excited triplet potential energy surfaces: rate constants, cross sections, and product distributions.

The reaction N+NO-->N(2)+O was studied by means of the time-dependent real wave-packet (WP) method and the J-shifting approximation. We consider the ground 1 (3)A(") and first excited 1 (3)A(') triplet states, which correlate with both reactants and products, using analytical potential energy surfaces (PESs) recently developed in our group. This work extends our previous quantum dynamics study, and probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants were calculated and interpreted on the basis of the different shapes of the PESs (barrierless 1 (3)A(") and with barrier 1 (3)A(') surfaces, respectively). The WP rate constant (k(1)) shows a weak dependence on T(200-2500 K), as the dominant contribution to reactivity is provided by the barrierless ground PES. There is a good agreement of WP k(1) with the measurements and variational transition state theory (VTST) data, and also between the WP and VTST k(1)(1 (3)A(")) results. Nevertheless, there is a large discrepancy between the WP and VTST k(1)(1 (3)A(')) results. Product state distributions were also calculated for the much more reactive 1 (3)A(") PES. There is an excellent agreement with the experimental average fraction of vibrational energy in N(2)(25+/-3%), the only measured dynamics property of this reaction.