A comparison of the wavelength-dependent photochemical reactions of ozone with vinyl bromide and fluoride in argon matrices

•Red light irradiation of O3 led to the reaction of O(3P) with C2H3Br and C2H3F.•The product yield and distribution were quite different with C2H3Br and C2H3F.•A triplet biradical is proposed as the first intermediate in the 625 nm reaction.•254 nm irradiation led to ketene and bromoketene with C2H3Br + o3.•Ketene and fluoroketene were not observed with 254 nm irradiation of C2H3F + O3.