Synthesis, characterization and gas phase conformational properties of chlorodifluoroacetylsulfenyl chloride, CF2ClC(O)SCl

•A new simple species, CF2ClC(O)SCl, was prepared by reacting CF2ClC(O)SH and Cl2.•The conformational landscape in the gas phase was determined.•The most stable form displays gauche orientation between the CF2Cl- and C=O groups.•A second conformer with CS symmetry and relative abundance of 30 % is also found.•NBO population analysis suggest occurrence of lpπ(S)→π*(C=O) resonance interaction.