Isotopically selective infrared multiphoton dissociation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane: 13 C selectivity and mechanism

C-selective infrared multiphoton dissociation of CF3CH2Cl has been studied by analyzing the distribution of 13C concentrations of the main products CF2=CHCl, CF2=CH2, CF2=CHF, C2F6, and the trace products CF3CH2CF3 and CF3CH=CHF3. The mechanism mainly concerns the dissociation of energized CF3CH2Cl, the collisional stabilization of excited CF3CH and CF3CH2 and the recombination of the nascent radicals. No significant radical–molecule reactions degrade the intrinsic 13C dissociation selectivity. High 13C production yield and 13C concentration can be attained at a laser fluence of 1.6 J/cm2. Such low fluence can be used to improve focus condition and enhance photon utilization efficiency for practicable 13C separation.