Vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of H3CF in solid neon: Infrared spectra of HCF and CF+

Irradiation of a sample containing fluoromethane dispersed in solid neon near 3.0 K with light from a synchrotron at wavelength 124 nm generated products that were detected with infrared absorption spectra. The identified products include CF, CF+, CF2, HCF, H2CF, C2F2, C2F2H2, CH3, CH, C2H2 and HF. Isotopic labeling with 13C and deuterium and quantum-chemical calculations confirmed the identification of these species; the vibrational spectra of CF+ and HCF (CH stretching mode) are recorded for the first time in solid neon.

Irradiation of H3CF dispersed in solid Ne near 3 K with vacuum-ultraviolet light from a synchrotron yielded new infrared absorption lines at 2640.5 and 1759.9 cm−1. Based on the results of calculations and of experiments with 13C- and deuterium labeling, we assigned the new lines to HCF (CH stretching mode) and CF+, respectively.85Research highlights► The first infrared spectrum of CF cation isolated in solid matrix. ► The first infrared spectrum of CH stretch of HCF isolated in solid matrix. ► The VUV absorption spectrum of H3CF in solid Ne.