A further study of the near-thermoneutral reactions O2H+ + H2 ⇌ H3+ + O2

The forward and reverse rate coefficients for the reactions (1) O₂H⁺ + H2 ? H₃⁺ + O₂ and (2) O₂D⁺ + D₂ ? D₃⁺ + O₂ have been determined in a SIFT at 80 and 300 K, from which values of the enthalpy and entropy changes in the reactions have been obtained. The data indicate that the proton affinity of H₂ is greater than that of O₂ by 0.33 ± 0.04 kcal mole^?1; similary, the deuteron affinity of D₂ is 0.35 ± 0.04 kcal mole^?1 greater than that of O₂. The measurements of entropy changes confirm that O₂H⁺ has a triplet electronic ground state.