Bond dissociation energy in trifluoride ion

The bond dissociation energies in F-3(-) are determined from energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation cross sections measurements in two tandem mass spectrometers. The gas-phase F-2-F- bond dissociation energy is measured to be 1.02 +/- 0.11 eV, and the energy for dissociation to F + F-2(-) is 0.28 +/- 0.07 eV higher. After accounting for solvation energies, it is shown that the F-3(-) is not expected to be stable with respect to dissociation in aqueous solution. Last, from the spectroscopic parameters, it is deduced that F-2(-) formation is favored at high energies, in agreement with experimental results.