The H + N₂O → OH(²Π(ω), v', N') + N₂ reaction: The microscopic mechanism at 1.5 eV

OH state-resolved angular scattering and kinetic energy release distributions for the reaction H + N₂O → N₂ + OH have been determined for the OH products born in the upper ²Π 1/2 spin-orbit state. Also presented are OH spin-orbit population propensities, and OH quantum state-resolved energy disposal data. The scattering dynamics show no sign of a dependence on OH spin-orbit state, despite a two-fold preferential population in favour of the lower OH spin-orbit state. The new data are discussed in the light of our own previous studies of the title reaction generating ground spin-orbit state OH products, and in the light of studies by other workers. Particular insight about the reaction mechanism is provided by the comparison with the photodissociation dynamics of HN₃. The comparison is especially useful in aiding the interpretation of the OH quantum state dependence of the angular scattering distributions in the H + N₂O reaction.