Vibrational state dependence of the N₂ ⁺ (v = 0–3) + HCl reaction at thermal energies

Abstract

N₂ ⁺ (v = 0–3) + HCl reaction rate constant is studied at thermal energies. The rate constants for v = 0, 1, 2 and 3 are 5.3(±1.6)×10⁻¹⁰, 8.3(±2.5)×10⁻¹⁰, 7.9(±2.4)×10⁻¹⁰ and 8.0(±2.4)×10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively, showing little or no dependence on vibrational excitation. Vibrational deactivation of the N₂ ⁺ is at most 20% of the total removal rate. The branching ratio for the charge transfer channel to the hydrogen transfer channel is also not altered significantly by N₂ ⁺ vibrational excitation.