Typescript (Processed) / Errata slip inserted. / Spine title: Studies in collisional energy transfer of highly excited molecules. / Bibliography: leaves 143-167. / viii, 169 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis describes the studies made on several unimolecular reaction systems in order to obtain collisional energy transfer information on highly excited polyatomic molecules. Pressure-dependant very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) and infrared multiphoton decomposition (IRMPD) experimental techniques are used. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, 1989