Structure, spectroscopy, and thermal decomposition of 5-chloro-1,2,3,4-thiatriazole: a He I photoelectron, infrared, and quantum chemical study

International audience; 5-Chloro-1,2,3,4-thiatriazole has been investigated in the gas phase for the first time by mid-infrared and He I photoelectron spectroscopy. The ground-state geometry has been obtained from quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T) and B3LYP levels using aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Ionization potentials have been determined and the electronic structure has been discussed within the frame of molecular orbital theory. IR and photoelectron spectroscopies, supported by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP and SAC-CI levels, provide a detailed investigation into the vibrational and electronic character of the molecule. Thermal stability of 5-chloro-1,2,3,4-thiatriazole has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Flash vacuum thermolysis of the molecule produces fast quantitatively N2, ClCN, and sulfur. Theoretical calculations at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP level predict competitive decomposition routes, starting either with a retro-cycloaddition reaction leading to N2S and ClCN or with a ring opening to chlorothiocarbonyl azide intermediate, to produce finally N2, S, and ClCN. Calculations also predict that N2S is reactive and decomposes in bimolecular reactions to N2 and S2