Unexpected hydrodefluorination of 3-Cl-tetrafluoropyridine. Interpretation through analysis of the potential energy surface for its radical anion

•3-chloro-tetrafluoropyridine radical anion decay was investigated theoretically.•Solvation effects are capable to affect the dehalogenation channel ratio.•What C-Hal bond will be broken depends on its position in pyridine ring.•The energy preference of Cl− elimination vs. the low barrier for F− elimination.•3-chloro-tetrafluoropyridine hydrodehalogenation - thermodynamics vs. kinetics.