Dissociation processes of ionized freons: CHFCl₂⁺ and CF₂Cl₂⁺ in the gas phase

The present study reveals the effects of symmetry on how the distribution and flow of energy play out on the decomposition of small halocarbons. Unimolecular decay of the freons CHFCl₂ and CF₂Cl₂ when ionized has been investigated. Mass spectrometric results that encompass isotope effects (peak heights) and energy distribution in the exit channel (peak shapes) are interpreted by computational methods. Non-statistical processes of electronic predissociation and isolated state decay are shown to be directly associated with molecular symmetry.