Isomerization of 1-methylcyclobutene by single collision activation at a surface. Variation of initial energy

Abstract

Abstract : The initial vibrational energy of molecules that collide with a hot surface has been varied. The effect on the collisional reaction probability (Pc) has been studied under single collision conditions. These experiments provide a sensitive test of the suitability of various analytical forms for the collisional transition probability matrix, P. The reaction system is the isomerization of methyl cyclobutene to pentadiene. A seasoned fused quartz surface was used over the temperature range Tr = 580 K - 800 K. Variation of the initial energy population vector of cyclobutene molecules was made by change of the initial temperature Tc in the range 273 K - 500 K. Gaussian forms of P prove to be the most suitable to fit the data. (Author)