Abstract: Photolysis of 2, 2, 2-trifluorodiazoethane (2) in an argon matrix at 12 K generates triplet 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethylidene (1) in addition to a significant amount of trifluoroethylene (3) and small amounts of trifluoromethyldiazirine (4). These compounds were identified by IR and UV spectroscopy. Short-wavelength photolysis of the carbene 1 converts it to trifluoroethylene, while slowly warming the matrix to 35 K results in dimerization to the ...