Proton-transfer reaction dynamics

In this article we discuss the progress made in understanding intermolecular and intermolecular reactions of proton (or hydrogen-atom) transfer. Femtosecond real-time probing, together with spectroscopic studies, in molecular beams are presented with selected examples of reactions. Reaction rates, tunneling dynamics and the nature of the reaction coordinate are examined and related to two-state multidimensional potential energy surfaces.