Detection of chlorophosphaethyne, Cl — C P, by photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract

The new molecule chlorophosphaethyne, Cl—CP, has been produced by flow thermolysis of trichloromethylphosphonous dichloride, Cl₃CPCl₂, over granulated zinc at 530 °C and its photoelectron spectrum has been recorded. All four bands expected below 21 eV have been detected and the first vertical ionization energy at 10.10 eV is assigned to the degenerate 4π orbital. The assignments are supported by ab initio SCF calculations.