The dynamics of the H + H2O reaction

This article reviews the history and recent progress in the study of the dynamics of the H + H2O reaction, which has become a benchmark for experimental research in the field of gas-phase reaction dynamics. The dynamics of H + H2O is discussed in terms of the different observable properties: integral cross-sections, rate coefficients, product state distributions, differential cross-sections, and vector correlations. It is shown how experimental measurements and first-principle theoretical calculations have revealed the interesting microscopic aspects of this elementary chemical reaction.