Insights into the photochemical processes of ClC(O)SCl from ab initio calculations.

All possible unimolecular processes upon photolysis of ClC(O)SCl in the UV-visible region have been characterized in the present paper through the optimized stationary structures and computed potential-energy profiles of the S0, S1, T2, and S2 states with the MP2, B3LYP, CASSCF, and MR-CI methods in conjugation with the cc-pVDZ basis set. Upon photoexcitation in the range of 300-400 nm, the ClC(O)SCl molecules are excited to the S1 state. From this state, the dissociation into ClC(O)S + Cl takes place immediately and subsequently Cl2 and SCO are formed. The C-Cl and C-S bond fissions that start from the S2 state are the dominant channels upon photodecomposition of ClC(O)SCl in the gas and condensed phases in the wavelength range of 200-248 nm. The formed Cl, C(O)SCl, ClCO, and SCl radicals are very reactive, and the Cl2, SCO, CO, and SCl2 molecules are subsequently produced as stable products in the condensed phase.