30.7: Reactions Can Produce Vibrationally Excited Molecules
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As shown at the end of section 30.5, using the center of mass reaction model allows us to state that
\[E_{R_{(int)}} + E_{R_{(trans)}} = E_{P_{(int)}} + E_{P_{(trans)}} \label{30.7.1} \]
where \(E_{R_{(int)}}\) and \(E_{P_{(int)}}\) represent the rotational, vibrational, and electronic energies collectively described as the internal energy of the reactants and the products, respectively. If we apply equation \(\ref{30.7.1}\) to the well-studied gas-phase reaction
\[\ce{F(g) + D_2(g) -> DF(g) + D(g)} \nonumber \]
we can discuss the distribution of a fixed total collision energy between \(E_{P_{(int)}}\) and \(E_{P_{(trans)}}\). Specifically, if we assume that \(\ce{F(g)}\) and \(\ce{D(g)}\) are in their ground electronic states, that \(\ce{D2(g)}\) is in its ground rotational, vibrational, and electronic states, and that \(\ce{DF(g)}\) is in its ground rotational and electronic states, we can focus on the possible vibrational states of the \(\ce{DF(g)}\) that can be populated. Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) shows the potential energy curve of the process that is described below.
Expanding Equation \ref{30.7.1} to describe this assumed process, we get
\[E_{R_{(rot)}} + E_{R_{(vib)}} + E_{R_{(elec)}} + E_{R_{(trans)}} = E_{P_{(rot)}} + E_{P_{(vib)}} + E_{P_{(elec)}} + E_{P_{(trans)}} \label{30.7.2} \]
Let's assume that \(\ce{D2}\) and \(\ce{DF}\) are harmonic oscillators with \(\tilde{\nu}_{D_2}\) = 2990 cm-1 and \(\tilde{\nu}_{DF}\) = 2907 cm-1 .
If D2 and DF are in their ground electronic states, then \(E_{R_{(elec)}} = -D_e(D_2)\) and \(E_{P_{(elec)}} = -D_e(DF)\). From experiments, we know that
\[-D_e(DF) - (-D_e(D_2)) = -140 kJ/mol \nonumber \]
We also know from experiments, that the activation energy for this reaction is about 6 kJ/mol1, so if we assume that the relative translational energy of the reactants is 7.1 kJ/mol, they will have sufficient energy to overcome the activation energy barrier.
With these data, we can write Equation \(\ref{30.7.2}\) as
\[0 + E_{R_{(vib)}} - D_e(D_2) + 7.1 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} = 0 + E_{P_{(vib)}} - D_e(DF) + E_{P_{(trans)}} \nonumber \]
then
\[E_{R_{(vib)}} + 7.1 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} = E_{P_{(vib)}} + (-D_e(DF) - (-D_e(D_2)) + E_{P_{(trans)}} \nonumber \]
then
\[E_{R_{(vib)}} + 7.1 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} = E_{P_{(vib)}} - 140 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} + E_{P_{(trans)}}\nonumber \]
Because \(\ce{D2}\) is in its ground vibrational state, \(E_{R_{(vib)}} = \dfrac{1}{2}h\nu_{D_2} = 17.9 \dfrac{kJ}{mol}\)
Putting this altogether,
\[17.9 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} + 140 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} + 7.1 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} - E_{P_{(vib)}} = E_{P_{(trans)}} \nonumber \]
\[165 \dfrac{kJ}{mol} - E_{P_{(vib)}} = E_{P_{(trans)}} \label{30.7.3} \]
Equation \(\ref{30.7.3}\) tells us that the reaction will occur only if \(E_{P_{(vib)}}\) is less than 165 kJ/mol because \(E_{P_{(trans)}}\) must be a positive value.
If \(\ce{DF(g)}\) is a harmonic oscillator, then
\[\begin{align*} E_{P_{(vib)}} &= \left( v + \dfrac{1}{2} \right) h\nu_{DF} \\[4pt] &= \left( v + \dfrac{1}{2} \right)(34.8\, kJ/mol) < 165\, kJ/mol \end{align*} \nonumber \]
Vibrational states, \(v\) = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 will result in \(E_{P_{(vib)}}\) \(\leq\) 165 kJ/mol. Thus \(\ce{DF(g)}\) molecules in these five vibrational states will be produced by the reaction. Note that under these set of assumptions, the \(\ce{DF}\) molecules produced in different vibrational states will have correspondingly different \(E_{P_{(trans)}} \).
1Average of experimental Ea values listed at https://kinetics.nist.gov/kinetics/ accessed 9/22/2021