Linear surprisal analysis of the H + HI → H2 + I abstraction reaction: Further demonstration of kinematic constraints on product energy distributions

Linear surprisal analysis is applied to state-to-state experimental results for the H-atom abstraction reaction, H + HI → H2 + I. Contrary to previous reports that the products from this reaction were not able to be fit by a linear surprisal analysis, the reaction can be accurately described by linear surprisal parameters when kinematic energy constraints and both reaction channels are taken into account. This is further evidence of the important role mass effects play in the energy disposal of state-to-state reactions and demonstrates the quantitative value of a very simple model for predicting the maximum energy available to the internal states of the products.