State-to-state dynamics of H+c-RH→H2(v′,j′)+c-R reactions: the influence of reactant stereochemistry

Rotational state distributions for the H2 v′=0 product from the H+c-C4H8 and H+c-C5H10 abstraction reactions are reported for 1.6 eV collision energy. These results are compared to those previously obtained by us for the H+c-C6H12 reaction. The H2(v′=0,j′) rotational state distributions from the H+c-C5H10 and H+c-C6H12 reactions are identical, within experimental uncertainty. In contrast, the H+c-C4H8 reaction produces an H2(v′=0,j′) distribution that is much warmer. These results are interpreted through a model of the reaction dynamics that invokes the characteristic stereochemistry of the reactants.