Unraveling the ultrafast dynamics of thermal-energy chemical reactions

In this perspective, we discuss how one can initiate, image, and disentangle the ultrafast elementary steps of thermal-energy chemical dynamics, building upon advances in technology and scientific insight. We propose that combinations of ultrashort mid-infrared laser pulses, controlled molecular species in the gas phase, and forefront imaging techniques allow to unravel the elementary steps of general-chemistry reaction processes in real time. We detail, for prototypical first reaction systems, experimental methods enabling these investigations, how to sufficiently prepare and promote gas-phase samples to thermal-energy reactive states with contemporary ultrashort mid-infrared laser systems, and how to image the initiated ultrafast chemical dynamics. The results of such experiments will clearly further our understanding of general-chemistry reaction dynamics.