Binary complexes of OH X(2) Pi and H-2/D-2 have been stabilized in a shallow well below the activation barrier to the hydrogen abstraction reaction and identified by laser-induced fluorescence in the OH A (2) Sigma(+)-X (2) Pi 1-0 spectral region. The characteristics of the OH (X (2) Pi, A (2) Sigma(+)) + H-2/D-2 potentials are in accord with ab initio predictions. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.