Xenon Matrix Photochemistry of 1,1-Dichloroethene: Matrix-Dependent Surface Crossing and Hydrogen-Bonding Geometries

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100384a036

The photoproducts of 1,1-dichloroethene (DCE) in Xe matrix at 12 K differ from those observed in Kr.With 239-nm photolysis, chlorine is eliminated from 1,1-DCE in solid Xe, but not in Kr, although HCl elimination and DCE isomerization occur in both matrices.Just as in the 1,2-dichloroethenes, Cl2 elimination proceeds in the heavy Xe matrix via spin-orbit-enhanced intersystem crossing to a triplet reaction surface.At higher photolysis energies, a novel product appears in Xe and is identified with the aid of isotopic substitution as a second HCl*C2HCl isomer, ?-hydrogen-bonded through the acetylenic proton.The product dependence on wavelength, parent, and matrix indicates that it is formed through a triplet-surface process under geometric constraints specific to the 1,1 isomer.Loss of Cl from a dissociative triplett state to form an excited chlorovinyl radical, with further cage reaction of the energetic fragments, is postulated.