Production of cold formaldehyde molecules for study and control of chemical reaction dynamics with hydroxyl radicals

We propose a method for controlling a class of low temperature chemical reactions. Specifically, we show the hydrogen abstraction channel in the reaction of formaldehyde (H₂CO) and the hydroxyl radical (OH) can be controlled through either the molecular state or an external electric field. We also outline experiments for investigating and demonstrating control over this important reaction. To this end, we report the first Stark deceleration of H₂CO. We have decelerated a molecular beam of H₂CO essentially to rest, producing molecules at 1000.3em0exmK with a density of ~10⁶0.3em0excm^-3.