Jahn-Teller effect in CD3Cl+(X∼2E): A combined photoelectron spectroscopic measurement and ab initio theoretical study

► The spin-vibronic energy levels of CD3Cl+ have been measured using ZEKE method. ► The spin-vibronic energy levels have been calculated based on a diabatic model. ► The theoretical PESs are compared with those extracted from the experimental data. ► The spin-vibronic structure is mainly determined by the linear vibronic coupling. ► The mode couplings among CD3 deform, CD3 rock and C-Cl stretching are important.