H Abstraction Channels in the Crossed-Beam Reaction of F + 1-Propanol, 1-Butene and 1-Hexene by DC Slice Imaging

We report a crossed molecular beam study of the reaction dynamics of fluorine atom with 1-propanol, 1-butene, and 1-hexene. The product alkoxy and alkenyl radicals were detected via dc slice imaging by 157 nm single photon ionization at collision energies around 10 kcal mol -1 . The analyzed data is interpreted with the aid of theoretical investigation of the relevant potential energy surfaces. The translational energy distribution and center-of-mass angular distribution of F + 1-propanol is quite similar to our previous results for F + n-butane, albeit with an increased fraction of the available energy in translation. In F atom reaction with alkenes, we also detected the HF formation channel. The low translational energy release and presence of significant backward scattering suggests the importance of an addition/elimination mechanism. Our selective single photon ionization probe allows us to examine the dynamics in minor channels in these systems. Although the probe is not sensitive to reaction at vinylic H sites, theoretical calculations consistently suggest a lower barrier from the addition complex to HF elimination involving vinylic H atoms.