CF3OH, an important and controversial by-product of atmospheric decomposition of CF3CFH2 HFC-134a and other hydrofluorocarbons, has been examined by photoionization mass spectrometry. The ionization onset is characterized by a broad Franck–Condon distribution, arising primarily from a substantial elongation of the C–O bond upon ionization. An upper limit to the adiabatic ionization potential IP of 13.08 0.05 eV has been ...