The threshold photoelectron spectroscopy of the cis- and trans-1-chloro-2-fluoro-ethene isomers. An experimental and quantum chemical study.

The threshold photoelectron spectra (TPES) of the two vicinal isomers of the 1,2-C2H2FCl molecule have been investigated in the 9-24 eV energy range using synchrotron radiation. Eight (for the cis-isomer) or nine (for the trans-isomer) bands have been observed and the corresponding ionization energies have been determined. The spectroscopic assignments are based on high level quantum chemical ab initio calculations for both isomers. Most of the observed spectral features could be interpreted. For both species the first three TPES bands exhibit a rich vibrational structure. Vibrational energies were determined and assignments were also supported by quantum chemical calculations of vibrational wavenumbers for these three ionic states of both isomers.