Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of $CHCl_2F$: Reaction Mechanisms and Product Ratio Dependence on Pressure and Laser Pulse Energy

Infrared multiphoton dissociation of $CHCl_2F$ was studied using $CO_2$ laser excitation. Three products, $C_2Cl_2F_2$, $C_2ClF_3$, and $C_2HClF_2$, were identified by the analysis of the gas mixture from the photoreaction of $CHCl_2F$. The dependence of the reaction probability on added Ar gas pressure and excitation laser pulse energy was investigated. At low pressure (< 10 torr), the reaction probability increased as Ar pressure increased due to the rotational hole-filling effect, while it diminished with the increase of Ar pressure at high pressure (> > 20 torr) due to the collisional deactivation. The ratio of two products $(C_2ClF_3/C_2Cl_2F_2)$ decreased at low pressure (< 10 torr) and increased at high pressure (> 20 torr) with the increase of Ar pressure. The log-log plot of the reaction probability vs. laser pulse energy (${\\phi}$) was found to have a linear relationship, and its slope decreased as the added Ar pressure was increased. The reaction mechanisms for product formation have been suggested and validated by experimental evidences and considering the energetics. Fluorine-chlorine exchange reaction in the intermediate complex has been suggested to explain the formation of $C_2ClF_3$.