(Left) Reaction path energetics for reactant CHD₃ initially in the ν = 0 (black arrow) and ν₁ = 1 (red) vibrational states. The curve represents schematically a cut through the multidimensional potential energysurfaces governing reactivity. The numbers in the parentheses indicate the vibrational quanta of the product pairs relevant to this study. (Right) Two normalized REMPI spectra of the probed CHD₂ products, with IR-on (red) and IR-off (black), at Ec = 3.6 kcal/mol. Two product images, both with IR-on, are shown for probing of the Q and Q bands, respectively. Superimposed on the images are the scattering directions; the 0° angle refers to the initial CHD₃ beam direction in the center-of-mass frame.

Link to the pdf file of the Science paper.

This work has been highlighted on the C&E News, Chemistry World, and Nature Chemistry website.