Dynamics of the C/H and C/F exchanges in the reaction of 3P carbon atoms with vinyl fluoride.

Two product channels C3H2F + H and C3H3 + F were identified in the reaction of C((3)P) atoms with vinyl fluoride (C2H3F) at collision energy 3.7 kcal mol(-1) in a crossed molecular-beam apparatus using selective photoionization. Time-of-flight (TOF) spectra of products C3H2F and C3H3 were measured at 12-16 laboratory angles as well as a TOF spectrum of atomic F, a counter part of C3H3, was recorded at single laboratory angle. From the best simulation of product TOF spectra, translational-energy distributions at seven scattering angles and a nearly isotropic (forward and backward peaked) angular distribution were derivable for exit channel C3H2F + H (C3H3 + F) that has average kinetic-energy release of 14.5 (4.9) kcal mol(-1). Products C3H2F + H and C3H3 + F were estimated to have a branching ratio of ~53:47. Furthermore, TOF spectra and photoionization spectra of products C3H2F and C3H3 were measured at laboratory angle 62° with photoionization energy ranging from 7 eV to 11.6 eV. The appearance of TOF spectra is insensitive to photon energy, implying that only single species overwhelmingly contributes to products C3H2F and C3H3. HCCCHF (H2CCCH) was identified as the dominant species based on the measured ionization threshold of 8.3 ± 0.2 (8.6 ± 0.2) eV and the maximal translational-energy release. The C/H and C/F exchange mechanisms are stated.