The understanding of fundamental atomic-level processes
often requires
well-defined model systems. The oxygen atom transfer from CO2to a transition metal cation in the gas phase presents such a model
system. We investigate the reaction of Ta++ CO2for which the formation of TaO+is highly efficient and
attributed to multistate reactivity. Here, we study the atomistic
dynamics of the oxygen atom transfer reaction by recording experimental
energy and angle differential cross sections by crossed beam velocity
map imaging supported byab initioquantum chemical
calculations. Product ion velocity distributions are dominated by
signatures for indirect dynamics, despite the reaction being highly
exothermic. Product kinetic energy distributions show little dependence
on additional collision energy even with only four atoms involved,
which hints at dynamical trapping behind a submerged barrier.