Chlorine initiated photooxidation studies of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Results for HCFC-22 (CHClF2); HFC-41 (CH3F); HCFC-124 (CClFHCF3); HFC-125 (CF3CHF2); HFC-134a (CF3CH2F); HCFC-142b (CClF2CH3); and HFC-152a (CHF2CH3)

Data on the tropospheric degradation of proposed substitutes for ozone depleting CFCs were obtained by conducting photochemical oxidation studies of HCFCs and HFCs using long path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrogen abstraction reactions were initiated using Cl radicals rather than OH radicals because of the rather unreactive nature of the compounds. The experimental product yields at T = 25 ± 3°C and 700 Torr of dry air were: CHClF₂ (1.11 ± 0.06 C(O)F₂); CClFHCF₃ (1.00 ± 0.04 CF₃C(O)F); CF₃CHF₂ (1.09 ± 0.05 C(O)F₂); CClF₂CH₃ (0.98 ± 0.03 C(O)F₂); CHF₂CH₃ (1.00 ± 0.05 C(O)F₂); CF₃CH₂F (0.16 ± 0.03 CF₃CF(O), and 0.83 ± 0.22 HFC(O)), where all standard deviations are 2σ. For each compound, the critical step in determining the oxidation products was the decomposition of a halogenated alkoxy radical. For HCFC-22 and HCFC-124, the major alkoxy radical decomposition route was Cl elimination. The HFC-125 product data were consistent with C? C cleavage of a two carbon alkoxy radical as the major decomposition route whereas both C? C cleavage and H abstraction by O₂ were significant contributors to the decomposition of the HFC-134a alkoxy radical. Secondary Cl reactions in the HCFC-142b and HFC-152a experiments prevented an unambiguous determination of the decomposition modes; the data are consistent with both C? C bond scission and Cl reactions with halogenated aldehydes producing the oxidation product C(O)F₂. With the exception of the HFC-134a and HFC-125 data, the proposed mechanisms can account for the major oxidation products. For HFC-134a and HFC-125, a number of product bands could not be identified. The bands are likely due to products from reactions involving the CF₃O₂ radical. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental and chemical kinetic study of the pyrolysis of trifluoroethane and the reaction of trifluoromethane with methane

A detailed reaction mechanism is developed and used to model experimental data on the pyrolysis of CHF₃ and the non-oxidative gas-phase reaction of CHF₃ with CH₄ in an alumina tube reactor at temperatures between 873 and 1173 K and at atmospheric pressure. It was found that CHF₃ can be converted into C₂F₄ during pyrolysis and CH₂CF₂ via reaction with CH₄. Other products generated include C₃F₆, CH₂F₂, C₂H₃F, C₂HF₃, C₂H₆, C₂H₂ and CHF₂CHF₂. The rate of CHF₃ decomposition can be expressed as 5.2×10¹³ [s−1] e−295[kJ mol−1]/RT. During the pyrolysis of CHF₃ and in the reaction of CHF₃ with CH₄, the initial steps in the reaction involve the decomposition of CHF₃ and subsequent formation of CF₂ difluorocarbene radical and HF. It is proposed that CH₄ is activated by a series of chain reactions, initiated by H radicals. The NIST HFC and GRI-Mech mechanisms, with minor modifications, are able to obtain satisfactory agreement between modelling results and experimental data. With these modelling analyses, the reactions leading to the formation of major and minor products are fully elucidated.     

Kinetics of the peroxy RFO2 radical formation in the RHF-O2-CO2 gaseous mixtures

The kinetic data on the molecular oxygen activity of CH₃CH^·, CH₃CF₂ ^· and CF₃CHF^· radicals are reported. In laboratory, these radicals were generated by pulsed (12 ns) electron beam interaction with the gaseous RHF-O₂-CO₂ mixtures containing large excess of carbon dioxide (RHF = CH₃CH₂F, CH₃CHF₂ or CH₂FCF₃). The transient product (O₃ or RFO₂ ^·) formation was monitored by the UV absorptions at 250 nm and the rate constants of Reactions (4) and (9) were obtained. The values of k ₉ diminished with increasing number of fluorine atoms in RHF molecule. For CH₃CH₂F and CH₃CHF₂ the k ₉’s were equal to (8.8–10.2)^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹ and (7.3–8.4)^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹, respectively, and seem to be determined for the first time. In the case of CH₂FCF₃ the obtained value of k _CF3CHF+O2 = 5.20±0.76^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹ is much higher than the value published in the literature.⁴ The other determined rate constant data are comparable to the literature values.     

A kinetic study of the reaction of fluorine atoms with CH3F,CH3Cl,CH3Br,CF2H2, CO,CF3H,CF3CHCl2, CF3CH2F,CHF2CHF2, CF2ClCH3, CHF2CH3, and CF3CF2H at 295 ± 2 K

A variety of relative and absolute techniques have been used to measure the reactivity of fluorine atoms with a series of halogenated organic compounds and CO. The following rate constants were derived, in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1: CH₃F, (3.7 ± 0.8) × 10^?11, CH₃Cl, (3.3 ± 0.7) × 10^?11; CH₃Br, (3.0 ± 0.7) × 10^?11; CF₂H₂, (4.3 ± 0.9) × 10^?12; CO, (5.5 ± 1.0) × 10^?13 (in 700 torr total pressure of N₂ diluent); CF₃H, (1.4 ± 0.4) × 10^?13; CF₃CCl₂H (HCFC-123), (1.2 ± 0.4) × 10^?12; CF₃CFH₂ (HFC-134a), (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10^?12, CHF₂CHF₂ (HFC-134), (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10^?12; CF₂ClCH₃ (HCFC-42b), (3.9 ± 0.9) × 10^?12, CF₂HCH₃ (HFC-152a), (1.7 ± 0.4) × 10^?11; and CF₃CF₂H (HFC-125), (3.5 ± 0.8) × 10^?13. Quoted errors are statistical uncertainties (2σ). For rate constants derived using relative rate techniques, an additional uncertainty has been added to account for potential systematic errors in the reference rate constants used. Experiments were performed at 295 ± 2 K. Results are discussed with respect to the previous literature data and to the interpretation of laboratory studies of the atmospheric chemistry of HCFCs and HFCs. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On the kinetic mechanism of reactions of hydroxyl radical with CHF2CH3 − n F n (n = 1–3)

The potential energy surfaces of the reactions CHF₂CH_3 − n F _n (n = 1–3) + OH were investigated by MPWB1K and BMC-CCSD (single-point) methods. Furthermore, with the aid of canonical variational transition state theory including the small-curvature tunneling correction, the rate constants of the title reactions were calculated over a wide temperature range of 220–1,500 K. Agreement between the CVT/SCT rate constants and the experimental values is good. Our results show that the order of rate constants is CHF₂CH₂F + OH > CHF₂CHF₂ + OH > CHF₂CF₃ + OH. For reaction CHF₂CH₂F + OH, the 1-H-abstraction channel dominates the reaction at the whole temperature, while 2-H-abstraction channel appears to be competitive with the increase of temperature.     

Photoelectrochemical pK Scale for weak CH-acids

The method of laser photoelectron emission from metals in electrolyte solutions has been used to measure the rate constants w₃ for the electrochemical reduction of simple organic radicals R to carbanions R^–. The following empirical rule has been established: the changes in the standard redox potential E° for R^–/R in series of organic radicals are equal to the changes in the potential corresponding to individual values of w₃. On the basis of this rule and the value of E° for CH₃ ^–/CH₃ E° values were obtained for C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, CH₂OH, CH₃CHOH, (CH₃)₂COH, CH₂Cl, CHF₂, CHFCl, CHCl₂, CF₂Cl, CFCl₂, CF₃, CCl₃, C₆H₅, C₆Cl₅, and a scale of pK for the CH acids conjugate to R^–. Consideration is given to the nature of the changes in E° and p^K on passing from aqueous solutions to solutions in water-dioxane mixtures and in acetonitrile.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1508–1514, July, 1990.     

Fluoroalkyl Radical Generation by Homolytic Bond Dissociation in Pentacarbonylmanganese Derivatives

Thermal decarbonylation of the acyl compounds [Mn(CO)₅(COR_F)] (R_F=CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂CF₃, CF₂CH₃) yielded the corresponding alkyl derivatives [Mn(CO)₅(R_F)], some of which have not been previously reported. The compounds were fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and by several single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The solution-phase IR characterization in the CO stretching region, with the assistance of DFT calculations, has allowed the assignment of several weak bands to vibrations of the [Mn(¹²CO)₄(eq-¹³CO)(R_F)] and [Mn(¹²CO)₄(ax-¹³CO)(R_F)] isotopomers and a ranking of the R_F donor power in the order CF₃<CHF₂<CH₂CF₃≈CF₂CH₃. The homolytic Mn−R_F bond cleavage in [Mn(CO)₅(R_F)] at various temperatures under saturation conditions with trapping of the generated R_F radicals by excess tris(trimethylsilyl)silane yielded activation parameters ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ that are believed to represent close estimates of the homolytic bond dissociation thermodynamic parameters. These values are in close agreement with those calculated in a recent DFT study (J. Organomet. Chem. 2018 , 864, 12–18). The ability of these complexes to undergo homolytic Mn−R_F bond cleavage was further demonstrated by the observation that [Mn(CO)₅(CF₃)] (the compound with the strongest Mn−R_F bond) initiated the radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (CH₂=CF₂) to produce poly(vinylidene fluoride) in good yields by either thermal (100 °C) or photochemical (UV or visible light) activation.     

Kinetics of the radical reactions in pulse radiolyzed RHF — CO2(SF6)-O2-NO gaseous mixtures; RHF = CH3CH2F, CH3CHF2, CH3CF3, CH2FCF3

The kinetics of the peroxy radicals RHFO₂ reactions with NO has been studied by using pulse radiolysis and UV absorption spectroscopy. The rate constants of interaction of oxygen atoms with NO − k ₂ = 2.2±0.2·10⁻¹² cm³·s⁻¹ and NO₂ − k ₃ = 2.1±0.2·10⁻¹¹ cm³·s⁻¹ were found in agreement with the literature values. The bath gases (SF₆ or CO₂) have got minor effect on the rate constants of RHFO₂+NO→NO₂+prod. reactions; RHFO₂ = CH₃CH₂O₂, CH₃CHFO₂, CH₃CF₂O₂, CF₃CH₂O₂, CF₃CHFO₂. The obtained rate coefficients are in the scope of the literature values, although they are lower than those recommended in NIST database. The reasons are discussed.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with a series of hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons at 298 ± 2 K

A relative rate method has been used to determine rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of a series of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. Based on a rate constant for the reaction of the Cl atom with CH₄ of (1.0 ± 0.2) ? 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K, the following Cl atom reaction rate constants (in units of 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were obtained: CH₃F, 340 ± 70; CH₃CHF₂, 240 ± 50; CH₂FCl, 110 ± 25; CHFCl₂, 21 ± 4; CHCl₂CF₃, 14 ± 3; CHFClCF₃, 2.7 ± 0.6; CH₃CFCl₂, 2.4 ± 0.5; CHF₂Cl, 2.0 ± 0.4; CH₂FCF₃, 1.6 ± 0.3; CH₃CF₂Cl, 0.37 ± 0.08; and CHF₂CF₃, 0.24 ± 0.05. These Cl atom reaction rate constants are compared with literature data and with the corresponding OH radical reaction rate constants. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Estimation of rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by OH radicals using the C?H bond dissociation enthalpies: Haloalkanes and haloethers

We propose a semiempirical procedure for the estimation of the rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction reactions of OH radicals with haloalkanes and haloethers. Our procedure is derived from the collision theory based kinetic equation, which was originally proposed by Heicklen (Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 1981, 13 , 651). This equation provides the estimates for the rate constants of hydrogen abstraction from the C? H bond dissociation enthalpy for each potential hydrogen atom abstraction site. We reparameterized the equation and then applied this procedure to a series of haloalkane and haloether molecules. The results obtained from the new equations are found to be quite satisfactory. In addition, we also report highly reliable calculated values of the C? H bond dissociation enthalpies for six environmentally important haloether molecules (CH₂FOCH₂F, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃, CF₃CH₂OCH₂CF₃, CF₃CF₂CH₂OCHF₂, CHF₂OCF₂CHFCl, and CHF₂OCHClCF₃). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 130–138, 2003     

Kinetics and mechanism of atmospheric reactions of partially fluorinated alcohols

Gas-phase reactions typical of the Earth’s atmosphere have been studied for a number of partially fluorinated alcohols (PFAs). The rate constants of the reactions of CF₃CH₂OH, CH₂FCH₂OH, and CHF₂CH₂OH with fluorine atoms have been determined by the relative measurement method. The rate constant for CF₃CH₂OH has been measured in the temperature range 258–358 K (k = (3.4 ± 2.0) × 10¹³exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(1.5 ± 1.3) kJ/mol). The rate constants for CH₂FCH₂OH and CHF₂CH₂OH have been determined at room temperature to be (8.3 ± 2.9) × 10¹³ (T = 295 K) and (6.4 ± 0.6) × 10¹³ (T = 296 K) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The rate constants of the reactions between dioxygen and primary radicals resulting from PFA + F reactions have been determined by the relative measurement method. The reaction between O₂ and the radicals of the general formula C₂H₂F₃O (CF₃CH₂? and CF₃?HOH) have been investigated in the temperature range 258–358 K to obtain k = (3.8 ± 2.0) × 10⁸exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(10.2 ± 1.5) kJ/mol. For the reaction between O₂ and the radicals of the general formula C₂H₄FO (? HFCH₂O, CH₂F?HOH, and CH₂FCH₂?) at T = 258–358 K, k = (1.3 ± 0.6) × 10¹¹exp(?E/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, where E = ?(5.3 ± 1.4) kJ/mol. The rate constant of the reaction between O₂ and the radicals with the general formula C₂H₃F₂O (?F₂CH₂O, CHF₂?HOH, and CHF₂CH₂?) at T = 300 K is k = 1.32 × 10¹¹ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. For the reaction between NO and the primary radicals with the general formula C₂H₂F₃O (CF₃CH₂? and CF₃?HOH), which result from the reaction CF₃CH₂OH + F, the rate constant at 298 K is k = 9.7 × 10⁹ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The experiments were carried out in a flow reactor, and the reaction mixture was analyzed mass-spectrometrically. A mechanism based on the results of our studies and on the literature data has been suggested for the atmospheric degradation of PFAs.     

Kinetics for the gas‐phase reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers CH2FCF2OCHF2, CHF2CF2OCH2CF3, CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF3, and CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF2CHF2 at 268–308 K

Rate constants were determined for the reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂(k₁), CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ (k₂), CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃(k₃), and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂(k₄) by using a relative rate method. OH radicals were prepared by photolysis of ozone at UV wavelengths (>260 nm) in 100 Torr of a HFE–reference–H₂O–O₃–O₂–He gas mixture in a 1‐m³ temperature‐controlled chamber. By using CH₄, CH₃CCl₃, CHF₂Cl, and CF₃CF₂CF₂OCH₃ as the reference compounds, reaction rate constants of OH radicals of k₁ = (1.68) × 10^?12 exp[(?1710 ± 140)/T], k₂ = (1.36) × 10^?12 exp[(?1470 ± 90)/T], k₃ = (1.67) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 140)/T], and k₄ = (2.39) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 110)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were obtained at 268–308 K. The errors reported are ± 2 SD, and represent precision only. We estimate that the potential systematic errors associated with uncertainties in the reference rate constants add a further 10% uncertainty to the values of k₁–k₄. The results are discussed in relation to the predictions of Atkinson's structure–activity relationship model. The dominant tropospheric loss process for the HFEs studied here is considered to be by the reaction with the OH radicals, with atmospheric lifetimes of 11.5, 5.9, 6.7, and 4.7 years calculated for CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃, CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃, and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂, respectively, by scaling from the lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 239–245, 2003     

A computational study of the radical–radical reaction of O(<Superscript>3</Superscript>P) + C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript> with comparisons to gas-phase kinetics and crossed-beam experiments

We present density functional theory (DFT) and complete basis set (CBS) calculations of the prototypical radical–radical reaction of ground–state atomic oxygen [O(³P)] with ethyl (C₂H₅) radicals. The respective reaction mechanisms and dynamics were investigated on the doublet potential energy surfaces using the DFT method and CBS model. In the title reaction, the barrierless addition of O(³P) to C₂H₅ led to the formation of energy-rich intermediates that underwent subsequent isomerization and decomposition to yield various products. The products predicted to be found were: H₂CO + CH₃, CH₃CHO + H, c–CH₂OCH₂ + H, ^1,3CH₃COH + H, ^1,3HCOH + CH₃, CH₂CHOH + H, C₂H₃ + H₂O, and CH₂CH₂ + OH. In particular, unlike previous kinetic results, proposed to proceed only through the direct H-atom abstraction process, two distinctive pathways to the formation of CH₂CH₂ + OH were predicted to be in competition: direct, barrierless H-atom abstraction mechanism versus addition process. The competition was consistent with the recent crossed-beam investigations, and their microscopic dynamic characteristics are discussed at the molecular level.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the atmospheric oxidation of 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC 143)

The rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with 1,2,2-trifuoroethane has been determined over the temperature range 278–323 K using a relative rate technique. The results provide a value of k(OH + CH₂FCHF₂) = 2.65 × 10^?12 exp(?1542 ± 500/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 based on k(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = 1.2 × 10^?12 exp(?1400 ± 200/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the rate constant of the reference reaction. The chlorine atom initiated photooxidation of CH₂CHF₂ was investigated from 255 to 330 K and as a function of O₂ pressure at 1 atmosphere total pressure using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The major carbon-containing products were CHFO and CF₂O suggesting that the alkoxy radicals CH₂FCF₂O and CHF₂CHFO, formed in the reaction, react predominantly by carbon-carbon bond cleavage. The results indicate that formation of CHF₂CFO from the reaction of CHF₂CHFO radicals with O₂ will be unimportant under all atmospheric conditions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2CHF2 with OH radicals at 250–430 K

The rate constants k₁ for the reaction of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ with OH radicals were determined by using both absolute and relative rate methods. The absolute rate constants were measured at 250–430 K using the flash photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (FP‐LIF) technique and the laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (LP‐LIF) technique to monitor the OH radical concentration. The relative rate constants were measured at 253–328 K in an 11.5‐dm³ reaction chamber with either CHF₂Cl or CH₂FCF₃ as a reference compound. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O₃–H₂O–He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr. Ozone was continuously introduced into the reaction chamber during the UV irradiation. The k₁ (298 K) values determined by the absolute method were (1.69 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (FP‐LIF method) and (1.72 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (LP‐LIF method), whereas the K₁ (298 K) values determined by the relative method were (1.87 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CHF₂Cl reference) and (2.12 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CH₂FCF₃ reference). These data are in agreement with each other within the estimated experimental uncertainties. The Arrhenius rate constant determined from the kinetic data was K₁ = (4.71 ± 0.94) × 10^?13 exp[?(1630 ± 80)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using kinetic data for the reaction of tropospheric CH₃CCl₃ with OH radicals [k₁ (272 K) = 6.0 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, tropospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃ = 6.0 years], we estimated the tropospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ through reaction with OH radicals to be 31 years. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 26–33, 2004     

Burning velocity measurements of fluoropropanes by the spherical-vessel method

Burning velocity measurements of six types of fluoropropanes including structural isomers were carried out in order to understand the flammability of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). The burning velocity (S_u) was determined by applying a spherical flame model to the pressure rise during combustion, which was measured at room temperature and at initial pressures of 80-107 kPa over a wide range of HFC/air concentrations. The maximum S_u of 1-fluoropropane (HFC-281fa), 2-fluoropropane (HFC-281ea), 1,3-difluoropropane (HFC-272fa), 2,2-difluoropropane (HFC-272ca), 1,2,3-trifluoropropane (HFC-263ea), and 1,1,1-trifluoropropane (HFC-263fb) was 35.0, 31.8, 31.9, 21.2, 25.7, and 14.5 cm s⁻¹, respectively. Note that the maximum S_u of HFC-263ea was appreciably higher than that of HFC-272ca, which shows the importance of the F-atom distribution, as well as of the F/H ratio in the HFC molecule. The results of equilibrium calculation for these HFCs showed that S_u is positively correlated with the flame temperature and the concentrations of the active chain carriers H and OH in the flame. We conducted a trial to interpret the magnitude of S_u by means of the effects of substituents for C₁-C₃ HFCs. As a result, it has been found that the order of inhibition efficiency for S_u decreases in the order of CF₃ > CF₂ > CF.     

An in-depth in situ IR study of the thermal decomposition of yttrium trifluoroacetate hydrate

The pyrolysis of Y(CF₃COO)₃·nH₂O at temperatures up to 1,000 °C, under flowing pure Ar, O₂ and O₂ saturated with water vapour, was extensively analysed. The formation of HF is observed directly and the existence of a :CF₂ diradical is inferred during a trifluoroacetic acid salt decomposition. High resolution thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the exothermic one-stage decomposition of the anhydrate salt occurs at 267 °C, forming YF₃. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified (CF₃CO)₂O, CF₃COF, COF₂, CO₂ and CO as the principal volatile species; and revealed the influence of water on the reactions liberating gaseous CF₃COOH, CHF₃, HF, and SiF₄ (from reactions with glass or quartz components). NO₂ and N₂O evolution suggested that traces of CH₃NO₂ were present in the starting material. Thermogravimetry and X-ray diffractometry indicated that the slow hydrolysis of the fluoride occurs between 630 and 655 °C, forming a mixture of Y₂O₃, YOF, Y₇O₆F₉, and YF₃. The decomposition and hydrolysis temperatures are significantly lower than previously reported, which has implications for sol–gel processing.     

Desorption Behaviour of HF,HCFC-133a and HFC-134a on a Catalyst Supported on γ-AlF3

The desorption behaviour (desorption temperature and extent of desorption) of HF,HCFC-133a (CF₃CH₂Cl) and HFC-134a (CF₃CH₂F) on γ-AlF₃ or catalyst supported on γ-AlF₃ was studied using an adsorption apparatus and TG, DTA and DSC methods. On the basis of the results a reaction mechanism was proposed for the preparation of HFC-134a. The γ-AlF₃ employed for preparing the catalyst was expected to be stable below 550°C based on the crystalline phase transition temperature of γ-AlF₃. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in relative rate measurements

We have developed a technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in a reaction chamber. The technique, which involves the UV photolysis of O₃ in the presence of water vapor, was used in combination with the relative rate method to obtain rate constants for reactions of OH radicals with selected species. A key improvement of the technique is that an O₃/O₂ (3%) gas mixture is continuously introduced into the reaction chamber, during the UV irradiation period. An important feature is that a high concentration of OH radicals [(0.53–1.2) × 10¹¹ radicals cm^?3] can be produced during the irradiation in continuous, steady‐state experiment. Using the new technique in conjunction with the relative rate method, we obtained the rate constant for the reaction of CHF₃ (HFC‐23) with OH radicals, k₁. We obtained k₁(298 K) = (3.32 ± 0.20) × 10^?16 and determined the temperature dependence of k₁ to be (0.48 ± 0.13) × 10^?12 exp[?(2180 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 253–328 K using CHF₂CF₃ (HFC‐125) and CHF₂Cl (HCFC‐22) as reference compounds in CHF₃–reference–H₂O gas mixtures. The value of k₁ obtained in this study is in agreement with previous measurements of k₁. This result confirms that our technique for generating OH radicals is suitable for obtaining OH radical reaction rate constants of ～10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, provided the rate constants do not depend on pressure. In addition, it also needed to examine whether the reactions of sample and reference compound with O₃ interfere the measurement when selecting this technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 317–325, 2003     

Rate constants of OH radical reactions in gas phase with some fluorinated compounds: A correlation with molecular parameters

For a number of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), E_He^z has been found to have a linear correlation with each of the following: (i) log (k/n); (ii) A/n; and (iii) E_a/R, where E_H = HOMO energy of the molecule, z = average fractional positive charge on the abstractable hydrogen atom in the molecule, k = rate constant of the gas-phase H abstraction reaction of the molecule with OH radical at 298 K, n = number of abstractable H atoms in the molecule, A = preexponential factor, and E_a/R = activation temperature of the said reaction. These correlations have been used to estimate the temperature dependent rate constants for the reactions of OH radical with CF₃CF₂CH₂CH₂CF₂CF₃, CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₃, CF₃CF₂CH₂CH₂F, CF₃CH₂CH₃, CF₃CH₂CHF₂, CF₃CHFCH₂F, and CHF₂CHFCHF₂ as {6.97 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1481/T)}, {5.43 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1754/T)}, {7.95 × 10⁻¹³ exp(l308/T)}, {8.0 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1300/T)}, {7.03 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1470/T)}, {7.33 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1417/T)}, and {8.09 × 10⁻¹³ exp(1285/T)}, respectively. These have not yet been measured experimentally. Linear correlation between E_He^z and log (k/n) has also been observed for nine halogen substituted acetaldehydes. On the other hand, E_H is found to have a better linear correlation with log (k/n) than E_He^z in the case of fluorinated ethers and alcohols where the available experimental data are at present limited. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 187–194, 1997.