Reaction Dynamics for the [NNO] System from State-Resolved and Coarse-Grained Models

Abstract: The dynamics for the NO($X^2 \Pi$) + N($^4$S) $\leftrightarrow$ N${2}(X^{1}\Sigma{g}^{+}$) + O($^{3}$P) reaction was followed in the $^3$A' electronic state using state-to-state (STS) and Arrhenius-based rates from two different high-level potential energy surfaces represented as a reproducing kernel (RKHS) and permutationally invariant polynomials (PIPs). Despite the different number of bound states supported by the RKHS- and PIP-PESs the ignition points from STS and Arrhenius rates are at $\sim 10^{-6}$ s whether or not reverse rates are from assuming microreversibility or explicitly given. Conversion from NO to N$_2$ is incomplete if Arrhenius-rates are used but complete turnover is observed if STS-information is used. This is due to non-equilibrium energy flow and state dynamics which requires a state-based description. Including full dissociation leads asymptotically to the correct 2:1 [N]:[O] concentration with little differences for the species' dynamics depending on the PES used for the STS-information. In conclusion, concentration profiles from coarse-grained simulations are consistent over 14 orders of magnitude in time using STS-information based on two different high-level PESs.