Coupled-channel statistical theory of the N(2D)+H2 and O(1D)+H2 insertion reactions

A detailed statistical theory of atom-diatom insertion reactions is derived by combining the early statistical ideas of Pechukas and Light with the coupled-channel capture theory of Clary and Henshaw. The theory is applied to the N(D-2) + H-2 and O(D-1) + H-2 reactions and found to give results in good agreement with the exact quantum mechanical integral cross sections reported recently by Honvault and Launay. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.