Photoinduced reactions of chloroacetone in solid Ar: Identification of CH2COClCH3

The UV light-induced reactions of chloroacetone in a cryogenic Ar matrix were investigated using infrared spectroscopy. The photoinduced isomerisations of gauche-chloroacetone to syn-chloroacetone and hypochlorous acid 1-methylethenyl ester were confirmed by comparing the experimental and calculated spectra. In addition, the photolysis products were found to be CH2CO and a cyclopropanone⋯HCl complex. The cyclopropanone⋯HCl complex was further decomposed into CH2CH2, CO and HCl. The hypochlorous acid 1-methylethenyl ester was further isomerized to 2-chloro-2-methyloxirane.