Precursor-mediated reactivity of vibrationally hot molecules: Methane activation on Ir(1Â 1Â 1)

- State-resolved beam-surface scattering studies explored CH4 reactivity on Ir(1 1 1).
- We measured S0 for v = 0 and the ν3 C-H stretching state with Etrans = 2-48 kJ/mol.
- A precursor-mediated reaction channel appears at low Etrans for both states.
- The C-H stretch state also promotes a direct reaction with an efficacy of 0.43.
- Vibrationally hot molecules can enhance their reactivity via a precursor mechanism.