Dissociative electron attachment to HGaF₄ Lewis-Brønsted superacid

The consequences of an excess electron attachment to HGaF4 (HF/GaF3) superacid are investigated on the basis of theoretical calculations employing ab initio methods. It is found that the dipole potential of HGaF4 plays an important role in the initial formation of a dipole-bound anionic state. Due to the kinetic instability of that initially formed anion, a fragmentation reaction occurs promptly and leads to (GaF4)- and H as the final products. The energy profile of this process, its rate, and mechanism are presented and discussed.