Relaxation via the Formation of Collision Complexes

Rate constants for removal of vibrationally excited molecules (AB) by atoms (C) where ABC is stable 

N2 ( SJ) + O P). This reduces the rate constant associated with the formation of collision complexes and as a result other mechanisms for vibrational relaxation may become important. 

The rates of vibrational relaxation of OH radicals by H atoms and by NO have been determined very recently by Spencer and Glass. Excited OH radicals were produced in a fast flow system by means of the rapid reaction 

It therefore seems reasonable to propose a similar mechanism involving complex formation in each of these cases. 

Glanzer and Troe have made a quantitative comparison of their experimentally observed rate constants for relaxation of NO (u = 1 and 2) by O and Cl atoms with those predicted assuming that complex formation provides the major path-way. The basis of their calculations was the statistical adiabatic channel model  

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