The
photofragmentation dynamics of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) with
photon energies from 12 eV up to 320 eV, surrounding the C 1s edge
is discussed. The ionic moieties were measured in coincidence with
the ejected electrons (PEPICO mode), and detected as a function of
the photon energy. Around the C K core edge, the
fragmentation profiles are examined regarding the site specific excitation
of the CH2FCF3 molecule. In the present case,
site-selectivity is favored by the distinct chemical environments
surrounding both C atoms. NEXAFS spectrum at the C 1s edge simulation
has been obtained at the TDDFT level and excited state geometry optimization
calculations have been performed at the inner-shell multiconfigurational
self-consistent field level. Our observations indicate that the C(H2F) 1s excitation to a highly repulsive potential expels a
fluorine atom leaving the heavier radical fragment C2F3H2* which relaxes to the fundamental state of the
ion C2F3H2
+. On the other
hand, the excitation from the C(F3) 1s carbon to a repulsive
state in the C–C bond, leads to a C–C bond cleavage,
explaining the observed site specific fragmentation.