Imaging the Dynamics of Cl($^{2}$P$_{3/2})$ Reactions with Selected Hydrocarbons

The crossed molecular beam method coupled with dc slice ion imaging technique provides promising results in understanding the dynamics of complex reaction processes. Advances in beam intensities and probe sensivity, in conjunction with the sliced imaging approach, yield the means to study this reactivity rapidly and in a systematic way. Using these strategies, we studied the reaction of Cl($^{2}$P$_{3/2})$ atoms with selected hydrocarbons: $n$-butane; \textit{cis}-2-butene; hexane; 1-hexene; 2-hexene; 1,5-hexadiene; $n$-heptane; and 2-methylhexane. The product alkyl radical images were detected \textit{via} single photon ionization at 157 nm, directly yielding the product flux-velocity contour maps.