Energy partitioning in the reaction O(1D) + H2O → OH + OH. V. Rotational relaxation of OH(X2Π, ν″, J″)

The rotational relaxation of OH(X²Π, ν″, J″) in ν″, = 0, 1, and 2 produced from the reaction of O (¹D) with H₂O has been studied as a function of H₂O vapor pressure and added argon. Water molecules are extremely efficient in bringing about relaxation and the experiments performed indicate that, on the average, the high temperature distribution is relaxed to nearly room temperature at a gas kinetic rate. This observation is rationalized by assumming a collision complex between OH and H₂O having a quasichemical interaction similar to weak hydrogen bonding. The nascent OH internal energy distribution does not depend upon the translational energy of the O(¹D) reactant. Translational relaxation of the nascent OH product by H₂O is fast, as fast as rotational relaxation.