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A dynamic isotope effect in the nucleophilic substitution reaction between F− and CD3I

Author

Listed:
  • Atilay Ayasli

    (Universität Innsbruck)

  • Arnab Khan

    (Universität Innsbruck
    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER))

  • Thomas Gstir

    (Universität Innsbruck)

  • Tim Michaelsen

    (Universität Innsbruck)

  • Dóra Papp

    (University of Szeged)

  • Yan Wang

    (Hubei Minzu University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hongwei Song

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Minghui Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Gábor Czakó

    (University of Szeged)

  • Roland Wester

    (Universität Innsbruck)

Abstract

The influence of quantum mechanics on the dynamics of chemical reactions is unknown for many processes in chemistry. Chemical reaction dynamics are often well described by quasiclassical motion of the atoms on quantum mechanical Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surfaces. Here we present a dynamic isotope effect in a nucleophilic substitution reaction experiment that can only be explained by quasiclassical trajectory simulations for reactants containing deuterium atoms, but not when hydrogen atoms are involved. The calculated energy- and angle-differential cross sections are compared to experimental crossed-beam velocity map imaging data, which show significantly more forward scattering for hydrogenated compared to deuterated reactants. Quantum scattering calculations in reduced dimensions explain this by an increased reaction probability for large total angular momentum, a feature that is not captured in the quasiclassical approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Atilay Ayasli & Arnab Khan & Thomas Gstir & Tim Michaelsen & Dóra Papp & Yan Wang & Hongwei Song & Minghui Yang & Gábor Czakó & Roland Wester, 2025. "A dynamic isotope effect in the nucleophilic substitution reaction between F− and CD3I," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57086-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57086-0
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