On the theory of energy distributions of products of molecular beam reactions involving transient complexes

Theoretical energy distributions of reaction products in molecular beam systems are described for reactions proceeding via transient complexes. Loose and tight transition states are considered for the exit channel. For a loose transition state and the case of l ≫ j, the result is the same as of Safron et al. For the case of a tight transition state exit channel effects are included analogous to steric effects for the reverse reaction. It is shown how, via one mechanism, bending vibrational energy of that transition state can contribute to the translational energy of the reaction products. Expressions are derived for the energy distributions of the products when l ≫ j and j ≫ l.