Multiple dynamical pathways in the O+SiH4 reaction studied by the crossed molecular beam method

Abstract

In this report, the O+SiH4 reaction is investigated using crossed molecular beam techniques. Multiple pathways have been observed for this reaction. Angular resolved time-of-flight spectra have been measured for all reaction products in a single set of experiments. Different product angular distributions were measured for various product channels, indicating that multiple reaction pathways with distinctive dynamics are present. An intriguing triple product channel, SiO+2H2, has also been clearly identified. However, the role of O(3P) vs O(1D) in the reactions remains to be clarified in further experimental investigations. This study provides a good example of multiple dynamical pathways in a complicated reaction, which opens enormous opportunities in investigating the dynamics of chemical reactions that are important in combustion and atmospheric chemistry.