Phase space theory angular momentum conservation

If redissociation into reactants is faster than stabilization, equations (3.15) and (3.16) simplify into a product of k,/k, and either kr or kcoll. Under these conditions, to obtain a theory for a total association rate coefficient, one must calculate both k,/k i and kr or kco . Three levels of theory have been proposed to calculate k, /k, . In the simplest theory, one assumes (Herbst 1980 a) that k, /k 3 is given by its thermal equilibrium value. In the next most complicated theory, the thermal equilibrium value is modified to incorporate some of the details of the collision. This approach, which has been called the modified thermal or quasi-thermal treatment, is primarily associated with Bates (1979, 1983 see also Herbst 1980 b). Finally, a theory which takes conservation of angular momentum rigorously into account and is capable of treating reactants in specific quantum states has been proposed. This approach, called the phase space theory, is associated mainly with Bowers and co-workers... 

Phase space theory considers the long-range polarisation between the associating ion and neutral and this interaction has generally been described on the basis of the Langevin model [808]. As has been realised for some time [482, 486, 547, 614], the phase space theory is equivalent to transition state theory in the extreme case of a loose transition state. The term loose as used here means that the incipient fragments can each freely rotate [287, 333] within the confines of conservation of angular momentum. 

We consider next phase-space theory (PST), which was designed principally to calculate energy distributions of the reaction products.12 In PST a loose transition state is assumed and, rather than using the approximation of l J,l is chosen so as to satisfy angular momentum conservation, namely, the triangle inequality,... 

Both the rotational and translational density of states can be treated classically. In the second expression, the rotational and vibrational density of states have been combined through the usual convolution of these functions. The rate constant described in equation (7.6) is similar to a phase space theory rate constant (see section 7.3) except that angular momentum is not conserved. 

The statistical dissociation rate constant can be calculated from the point of view of the reverse reaction, namely the recombination of the products to form a complex. This approach, commonly referred to as phase space theory (PST) (Pechukas and Light, 1965 Pechukas et al., 1966 Nikitin, 1965 Klots, 1971, 1972) is limited to reactions with no reverse activation energy, that is, reactions with very loose transition states. PST assumes the decomposition of a molecule or collision complex is governed by the phase space available to each product under strict conservation of energy and angular momentum. The loose transition state limit assumes that the reaction potential energy surface is of no importance in determining the unimolecular rate constant. 

Chesnavich WJ, Bowers MT. Statistical phase space theory of polyatomic systems rigorous energy and angular momentum conservation in reactions involving symmetric polyatomic species. J Chem Phys. 1977 66 2306-15. 

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