Using ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with the temporal diffraction-difference method recently developed in this laboratory, we report accurate determination of the radical (CF2) structure in the dissociation of diiododifluoromethane (CF2I2) with picosecond time resolution. Time-zero was clocked accurately within 2 ps and both iodine atoms were found to be liberated in less than 4 ps. The structure, absolute fraction, and electronic state of the radical were determined. The CF2 radical was found to be in X(1)A(1) ground state with C-F and F ... F distances of 1.30(+/-0.02) Angstrom and 2.06(+/-0.06) Angstrom, respectively. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.