Experimental and theoretical study of X-ray absorption around the chlorine L edge in vinyl chloride

► We measured the X-ray absorption spectrum of C2H3Cl around the chlorine L edge. ► Ab-initio calculations of the spectrum shed light on eventual electronic resonances. ► Vibrational substructures for particular core excited states are considered. ► The potential energy surfaces of the core excited electronic states are evaluated. ► Sharp or narrow spectral bands are associated to bound or dissociative surfaces.