Theoretical Studies of Polyatomic Bimolecular Reaction Dynamics

We describe recent advances in the theoreti cal descri ption of bimolecular reactions involving four or more atoms based on quantum scattering theory and quasi cIassical tra je ctory methods. The application of these methods to several reactions is described in detail along with relevant experimental result s. The discussi on emphasi zes the use of reduced dimen­ sionality quantum scatteri ng methods and quasiclassical trajectory methods to describe quant um state-resolved effects, including state-speci fic reaction rate enhancement s and product state distributions. Also con­ sidered are thermal rate constants, the lifetimes of in termediate complexes, and the branchi ng between mUltiple reaction pathways.