Combined CASSCF and MR-CI study on photoinduced dissociation and isomerization of acryloyl chloride

The potential energy surfaces of isomerization and dissociation reactions for CH2CHCOCl in the S0, T1, T2, and S1 states have been mapped with DFT, CASSCF, MP2, and MR-CI calculations. Rate constants for adiabatic and nonadiabatic processes have been calculated with the RRKM rate theory, in conjugation with the vibronic interaction method. Mechanistic photochemistry of CH2CHCOCl at 230-310 nm has been characterized through the computed potential energy surfaces and rate constants. Upon photoexcitation of CH2CHCOCl at 310 nm, the S1-->T1 intersystem crossing is the dominant primary process, which is followed by the 1,3-Cl migration along the T1 pathway. Meanwhile, the S1-->S0 internal conversion occurs with considerable probability and the subsequent trans-cis isomerization proceeds in the ground state. The C-Cl bond cleavage is an exclusive primary channel upon photoexcitation of gaseous CH2CHCOCl at 230 nm. The direct C-Cl bond cleavage is partially blocked by effects of the matrix, and the internal conversion from S1 to S0 becomes an important process for the excited molecule to deactivate in the condensed phase. The present calculations not only provide a reasonable explanation of the experimental findings, but also give new insight into the mechanistic photochemistry of CH2CHCOCl.