Ionization of ozone/chlorofluorocarbon mixtures in atmospheric gases. Formation and remarkable dissociation of [CHXYO3]+ (X= H, Cl, F; Y= Cl, F) complexes.

The reactions occurring upon ionization of mixtures containing ozone and CHX2Y (X=H, Cl, F; YCl, F) halocarbons diluted in atmospheric gases (O2, N2) have been investigated in detail by mass spectrometric and theoretical methods. In all systems investigated the reactivity pattern is characterized by the preliminary formation of [CHXY⋅O3+] adducts which undergo unimolecular dissociation into HXYO2+ and CO. This remarkable dissociation which requires extensive molecular reorganization is exceptional for hydrogenated halocarbons. The work represents the first systematic study of the ionic chemistry in systems containing both ozone and halocarbons diluted in atmospheric gases.