Reactions of vinyl groups on a model chromia surface: Vinyl chloride on stoichiometric α-Cr2O3(101¯2)

Photoemission and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra show that a mixed monolayer of molecular and dissociated vinyl chloride is formed at 130 K. The polarization dependence of the NEXAFS indicates that vinyl chloride π-bonds with the molecular plane nominally parallel to the surface, while vinyl intermediates σ-bond at Cr centers with the molecular plane nominally perpendicular to the surface, in agreement with DFT predictions of the adsorption geometries.