Dynamic reaction pathways of anionic products on the exit-channel potential energy surface for the reaction of O− with C2H4

The dynamic reaction pathways after passing the initial barrier for the reaction of atomic oxygen radical anion (O−) with ethylene (CH2CH2) have been investigated with Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations. The BOMD simulations initiated at this [O⋯H⋯CHCH2]− barrier on the exit-channel potential energy surface (PES) reveal several different types of dynamic reaction pathways leading to various anionic products. In particular, as the energy added on the transition vector of the [O⋯H⋯CHCH2]− transition state increases remarkably, the OH− and CH2CH become the dominant products instead of the CH2CHO− and H. As a result, animated images are displayed and more extensive reaction mechanisms are illuminated for the title reaction from the perspective of the dynamic reaction pathways.