  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.
