Imaging a reactive resonance in the Cl+CH4 reaction -: art. no. 101102

The title reaction has been under extensive experimental and theoretical investigations. Presented here is the experimental evidence suggesting a reactive resonance in this reaction-an intriguing possibility that has been hitherto unsuspected. The initial speculation was inferred from theoretical works in the literature, and subsequent confirmation came from the observed pattern of the angular distributions of the HCl(nu(')=1)+CH3(v=0) product pair, when plotted in the angle-collision energy plane. This characteristic pattern proves particularly incisive and universal in revealing the imprint of reactive resonance in experimental observable. The nature of the proposed resonance in this reaction is also elucidated.