Substitution effect of or (R = CH3, C2H5) groups on the 119Sn and 1H NMR spectra of (CH3)4-nSn(OR)n compounds;m evidence for a polymeric structure

We investigated the ¹H and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra of (CH₃)_4-nSn(OR)_n (n = 1, 2, 3; R = CH₃, C₂H₅) compounds. The different NMR parameters could not be interpreted with the aid of normal substitution effects based upon electronegativity considerations of the substituents. However, structural changes caused by polymerization could provide a rational explanation of the special NMR behaviour of these compounds.     

Thermodynamics of the early stages in homogeneous ziegler-natta polymerization: Density functional calculations on model systems TiCl2R+ and ZrCl2R+

The ethylene polymerization enthalpy, calculated through quantum-mechanical ab-initio methods on model systems of homogeneous Ziegler-Natta cationic catalysts, is reported to be from two to three times greater than the experimental value of 22,3 kcal/mol. In this paper we analyze the origin of this discrepancy and show that it is mainly due to the intrisnic instability of the cationic system in vacuum. We also demonstrate that the growing polymer chain can act as a quite efficient stabilizing agent. We examined, through density functional calculations, the model systems MCl₂R⁺, where M = Ti, Zr and R = CH₃, C₃H₇, C₅H₁₁, C₇H₁₅ and their analogues obtained by neutralizing the positive charge with a chloride anion. On the basis of our computational results, we found that: (i) for the ideal reaction of ethane with ethylene to give butane, considered as a thermodynamical model of the single insertion step, the calculated enthalpy value of 35,6 kcal/mol is in closer agreement with the experimental value and is taken as theoretical reference value; (ii) the same value is obtained also for the neutral systems MCl₃R independently of the nature of the metal and of the alkyl chain length; (iii) for cationic systems, when R = CH₃, high insertion enthalpies are obtained in agreement with the calculated values reported in literature, but, for R = C₃H₇, C₅H₁₁ and C₇H₁₅, the insertion enthalpy remarkably decreases converging towards the theoretical reference value. We conclude that the high enthalpy value obtained for the first monomer insertion is not only a mere consequence of the computational method, but is mainly due to the weak stabilizing effect of the methyl group. A longer alkyl chain produces a stabilization of the cationic system through the inductive effect as well as through formation of agostic bonds. This leads us to formulate the hypothesis that, in real polymerization conditions, the role of a stabilizing agent, which is mainly played by the counterion in the early stages of the propagation reaction, could be performed by the growing chain as the polymerization proceeds.     

Kinetics of the R + HBr RH + Br (CH3CHBr, CHBr2 or CDBr2) equilibrium. Thermochemistry of the CH3CHBr and CHBr2 radicals

The kinetics of the reaction of the CH₃CHBr, CHBr₂ or CDBr₂ radicals, R, with HBr have been investigated in a temperature-controlled tubular reactor coupled to a photoionization mass spectrometer. The CH₃CHBr (or CHBr₂ or CDBr₂) radical was produced homogeneously in the reactor by a pulsed 248 nm exciplex laser photolysis of CH₃CHBr₂ (or CHBr₃ or CDBr₃). The decay of R was monitored as a function of HBr concentration under pseudo-first-order conditions to determine the rate constants as a function of temperature. The reactions were studied separately from 253 to 344 K (CH₃CHBr + HBr) and from 288 to 477 K (CHBr₂ + HBr) and in these temperature ranges the rate constants determined were fitted to an Arrhenius expression (error limits stated are 1σ + Student’s t values, units in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, no error limits for the third reaction): k(CH₃CHBr + HBr) = (1.7 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹³ exp[+ (5.1 ± 1.9) kJ mol⁻¹/RT], k(CHBr₂ + HBr) = (2.5 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(4.04 ± 1.14) kJ mol⁻¹/RT] and k(CDBr₂ + HBr) = 1.6 × 10⁻¹³ exp(−2.1 kJ mol⁻¹/RT). The energy barriers of the reverse reactions were taken from the literature. The enthalpy of formation values of the CH₃CHBr and CHBr₂ radicals and an experimental entropy value at 298 K for the CH₃CHBr radical were obtained using a second-law method. The result for the entropy value for the CH₃CHBr radical is 305 ± 9 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The results for the enthalpy of formation values at 298 K are (in kJ mol⁻¹): 133.4 ± 3.4 (CH₃CHBr) and 199.1 ± 2.7 (CHBr₂), and for α-C–H bond dissociation energies of analogous compounds are (in kJ mol⁻¹): 415.0 ± 2.7 (CH₃CH₂Br) and 412.6 ± 2.7 (CH₂Br₂), respectively.     

MoO_2Br_2体系催化丁二烯聚合中烯丙基卤素的作用

ＭｏＯ２Ｂｒ２－Ａｌ（ｉ－Ｂｕ）２ＯＰｈＣＨ３（－ｍ）体系催化丁二烯１，２－聚合过程中添加Ｃ３Ｈ５Ｘ（Ｘ＝Ｃｌ、Ｂｒ和Ｉ）对聚合物分子量有较好的调节作用，其中以Ｃ３Ｈ５Ｂｒ的调节作用最强，Ｍｎ从１７．５×１０５降至３．５×１０５，但对催化活性有一定的影响．在测定催化体系的ＵＶ光谱、（１３）Ｃ－ＮＭＲ谱、聚合活性和聚合动力学参数的基础上，讨论了Ｃ３Ｈ５Ｘ在催化体系中的行为．     

Über die Kristallstrukturen von CH3PF2H+AsF6− und CH3PF2H+SbF6− und eine einfache Darstellung von CH3PF2

On the Crystal Structures of CH₃PF₂H⁺AsF₆^? and CH₃PF₂H⁺SbF₆^? and a simple Method for Preparation of CH₃PF₂ A simple method for preparation of CH₃PF₂ from CH₃PCl₂ is reported. The phosphonium salts CH₃PF₂H⁺MF₆^? are obtained by the reaction of CH₃PCl₂ with superacidic systems HF/MF₅ (M = As, Sb). CH₃PF₂H⁺SbF₆^? crystallizes in the space group P1 with a = 548.4(4) pm, b = 695.5(8) pm, c = 960.2(9) pm, α = 94.68(5)°, β = 97.19(6)°, γ = 94.41(6)° and Z = 2. CH₃PF₂H⁺SbF₆^? crystallizes in P1 with a = 554.3(3), b = 724.2(4), c = 970.4(5), α = 94.73(4)°, β = 96.14(5)°, γ = 95.30(4)°.     

Dimolybdenum Complexes Containing Pairs of Bridging Diphosphine and Carboxylate Ligands. Synthesis and Structures of trans-Mo2(O2CCH3)2(μ-dppa)2(BF4)2 and trans-Mo2X2(O2C(CH2)nCH3)2(μ-dppa)2 (n = 2, 10 or 12; X = Cl or Br; dppa = N,N-Bis(diphenylphosphino)amine)

The red complex trans-Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₂(μ-dppa)₂(BF₄)₂, 1 , was prepared by reaction of [Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₂(CH₃CN)₆][BF₄]₂ with dppa (dppa = Ph₂PN(H)PPh₂) in THF. The reactions of Mo₂(O₂C(CH₂)_nCH₃)₄ with dppa and (CH₃)₃SiX (X = Cl or Br) afforded the complexes trans-Mo₂X₂(O₂C(CH₂)_nCH₃)₂(μ-dppa)₂ (X = Cl, n = 2, 2; X = Br, n = 2, 3; X = Cl, n = 10, 4 ; X = Cl, n = 12, 5 ). Their UV-vis, IR and ³¹P{¹H}-NMR spectra have been recorded and the structures of 1, 2 and 3 have been determined. Crystal data for 1 : space group P2₁/n, a = 12.243(1) Å, b = 17.222(1) Å, c = 13.266(1) Å, β = 95.529(1)°, V = 2784.1(6) ų, Z = 2, with final residuals R = 0.0509 and Rw = 0.0582. Crystal data for 24CH₃Cl₂: space group P2₁/n, a = 13.438(1) Å, b = 19.276(1) Å, c = 14.182(1) Å, β = 111.464(1)°, V = 3418.9(6) ų, Z = 2, with final residuals R = 0.0492 and Rw = 0.0695. Crystal data for 3·4CH₂Cl₂: space group P2₁/n, a= 13.579(1) Å, b = 19.425(1) Å, c = 14.199(1) Å, β = 111.881(2)°, V = 3475.6(7) ų, Z = 2, with final residuals R = 0.0703 and Rw = 0.0851. Comparison of the structural data shows that the effect of the axial ligand on weakening the Mo-Mo bond strength is X^? > CH₃CN > BF₄^?. The T_m values are 121.7 °C for 2 , 111.1 °C for 3 and 91.5 °C for 5 , respectively.     

Quantenchemische modellrechnungen zur ionischen polymerisation mit hilfe der EHT- und CNDO/2-Methode

Both the EHT and the CNDO/2 methods were applied to the calculation of simple models of the active centres in ionic polymerization. For the models of active anionic centres CH₃^?Mt^? and CH₃O^?Mt⁺ (Mt = Li, Na, MgX), only the results obtained by CNDO/2 permitted conclusions on comparative reactivities; the EHT method failed.Both methods gave results of good agreement for the models of active cationic centres of the type R⁺MtX_{n + 3}^? (R = H, CH₃, OH₃; Mt = B, Al; X = F, Cl). The counterion remains in its tetrahedral structure during the interaction with the cation.     

Kinetic studies of the reactions CH2I2 + HI⇄CH3I + I2 and 2 CH3I⇄CH4 + CH2I2 the heat of formation of the iodomethyl radical

The rate of the reaction CH₂I₂ + HI ? CH₃I + I₂ has been followed spectrophotometrically from 201.0 to 311.2°. The rate constant for the reaction fits the equation, log (k₁/M^?1 sec^?1) = 11.45 ± 0.18 - (15.11 ± 0.44)/θ. This value, combined with the assumption that E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mole, leads to ΔH (CH₂I, g) = 55.0 ± 1.6 kcal/mole and DH (H? CH₂I) = 103.8 ± 1.6 kcal/mole. The kinetics of the disproportionation, 2 CH₃I ? CH₄ + CH₂I₂ were studied at 331° and are compatible with the above values.     

Reactivity of radicals CCl3(CH2CHR)n (R=H,CH3, Cl; n=1, 2) in addition reactions with unsaturated compounds

Using EPR spectroscopy, the rate constants for the addition of radicals CC1₃(CH₂· CH₂)_n, (R¹ for n=1 and R² for n=2), CCl₃CH₂CHCH₃ (R³), and CCl₃CH₂CHCl (R⁴) to unsaturated compounds CH₂=CHX (X=C₆H₅, COOCH₃, CN) and CH₂=C(CH₃)Y (Y=C₆H₅, COOCH₃) at 22C have been determined. The radicals R¹ and R² exhibit ambiphilic, and R⁴ electrophilic character towards the selected unsaturated compounds. It has been shown that the presence of the CCl₃ group in the -position of the radical center has little effect on the reactivity of the radical. Replacement of a hydrogen on the -carbon in radical R¹ by a CH₃ group or chlorine atom leads to a considerable reduction in the rate of addition of the radicals to the unsaturated compounds examined.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 548–554, March, 1991.     

Dimethyl(methansulfinyl)sulfoniumhexafluorometallate (CH3)2SS(O)CH3+MF6− (M = As,Sb) und Kristallstruktur von Methansulfinylchlorid [1]

Dimethyl(methanesulfinyl)sulfonium Hexafluorometallates (CH₃)₂SS(O)CH₃⁺MF₆^? (M = As, Sb) and the Crystal Structure of Methanesulfinylchloride CH₃S(O)Cl [1] The preparation of dimethyl(methanesulfinyl)sulfoniumhexafluorometallates (CH₃)₂SS(O)CH₃⁺MF₆^? (M = As, Sb) and the spectroscopic characterization of the new thiosulfonium salts are described. Alternatively they can be obtained from methylmethanethiosulfinate by methylation. In addition the crystal structure of methanesulfinylchloride CH₃S(O)Cl at 113 K is reported. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 528.2(1), b = 829.2(2), c = 880.9(2) pm, β = 90.48(2)° and Z = 4.     

Polymerization of mono‐, Di‐, and trichloroethyl methacrylates: A study in chain transfer

Bulk free radical polymerization of the monomer series CH₂ = C(CH₃)C(O)OCH₂CH_3‐n Cl_n , n = 1, 2, 3, yields an unexpectedly crosslinked product with a crosslink density that increases with decreasing chlorine content of the respective monomer (n = 3 < n = 2 < n = 1). This chlorine substituent effect is investigated by correlation with chain transfer constant measurements for four homologous series of chloroalkyl compounds (chloroethyl acetates (CH₃C(O)OCH₂CH_3‐n Cl_n , n = 1,2,3); chloromethanes (CH_4‐n Cl_n , n = 2,3,4) and CD₂Cl₂ and CDCl₃ analogs; butyl chloride isomers (n‐ , iso‐ , sec‐, tert‐) and tert‐C₄D₉Cl analog; and nine chloroethanes (C₂H_{n ?6}Cl_n , n = 1–6)) in a methyl methacrylate polymerization. The pattern conveyed by the magnitude of chain transfer constants and deuterium isotope effects is consistent with a vicinal chlorine effect (i.e., chlorine activation of a vicinal hydrogen for abstraction) to account for the relative activities of the four series of model compounds and for the propensity of the chloroethyl methacrylates to crosslink in a bulk free radical polymerization. The chloroalkyl moiety's contribution to chain transfer is relatively modest (≤10^?4), but, when incorporated as a monomer pendant group in free radical polymerizations, it is effective in broadening molecular weight to the extent of resulting in a crosslinked polymer. Published 2016.^? J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55 , 93–106     

NMR investigations on Stannabicycloundecanes of the type RSn(CH2CH2CH2)3N

The ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR data of seven stannabicycloundecanes of the type RSn(CH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N (1, R = Cl; 2 , R = Br; 3 , R = I; 4 , R = OH; 5 , R = SPh; 6 , R = Me; 7 , R = Sn(CH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N) are reported. From ¹H NMR coalescence data at low temperature the free activation enthalpies for the racemisation of the bicyclo[3.3.3]skeleton were estimated to be 37 ± 1 kJ/mol. They are independent of the substituent R. However, it decreases when the tin atom is replaced by silicon for R = Me.     

Über die Darstellung der N-Chlor-N-Methylammoniumsalze (CH3)nNCl4–n+MF6− (n = 1–3; M = As,Sb) und (CH3)2NCIX+MF6− (X = F,Br)

About the Preparation of N-Chloro-N-Methylammonium Salts (CH₃)_nNCl_4–n⁺MF₆^? (n = 1–3; M = As, Sb) and (CH₃)₂NClX⁺MF₆^? (X = F, Br) Simple one-step methods for the preparation of the methylated chloroammonium salts (CH₃)_nNCl_4–n⁺MF₆^? (n = 1–3; M = As, Sb) and for (CH₃)₂NClX⁺MF₆^? (X = F, Br) are reported. Their vibrational and NMR-spectroscopical data are discussed in comparison.     

Four‐ and Five‐Coordinate Gallium Complexes Stabilized by Bidentate 2‐(Dimethylaminomethyl)Pyrrole Ligand: Molecular Structures of Ga[NC4H3(CH2NMe2)‐2]3 and GaMe2[NC4H3(CH2NMe2)‐2]

Treatment of GaCl₃ with one equiv of Li[NC₄H₃(CH₂NMe₂)‐2] (n = 1, 2, 3) in diethyl ether at ?78 °C yields GaCl_3‐n[NC₄H₃(CH₂NMe₂)‐2]_n (n = 1, 1 ; n = 2, 2 ; n = 3, 3 ). Compound 1 reacts with two equiv of RLi to afford GaR₂[NC₄H₃(CH₂NMe₂)‐2] ( 4a, R=Me; 4b, R=Bu ) via transmetallation. Reacting 2 with one equiv of RLi in diethyl ether, 3 and 4 are formed via ligand redistribution. Variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments reveal that the five‐coordinate gallium compound 3 is fluxional and results in a coalescence temperature at 5 °C, at which ΔG^≠ is calculated at ca. 10.4 Kcal/mole. All the new compounds have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the structures of compounds 3 and 4a have also been determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 72. Über die Alkyl-cyclomonocarba-phosphane (PR)4CH2, R = CH3, C2H5, t-C4H9

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 72. About the Alkyl Cyclomonocarba Phosphanes (PR)₄CH₂, R = CH₃, C₂H₅, t-C₄H₉ The alkyl-substituted cyclomonocarbaphosphanes (PR)₄CH₂ (R = CH₃ 1 , C₂H₅ 2 , t-C₄H₉ 3 ) are obtained in very good yield by the reaction of the corresponding dipotassium alkylphosphides K₂(PR)_n (n = 2, 3, 4) with methylene chloride. Besides, small amounts of the homocyclic rings characteristic for the given substituent and of the five-membered cyclodicarbaphosphanes (PR)₃(CH₂)₂ with isolated CH₂ groups are formed. For the alkylcyclomonocarbaphosphanes 1 and 2 , configuration isomers could be identified for the first time. The “all-trans” forms are always predominant; the relative amounts of the other isomers decrease strongly with increasing number of cis relationships between the substituents at adjacent phosphorus atoms. The ³¹P n.m.r. parameters for three of the all together six isomers of 1 distinguishable by n.m.r. spectrometry and for the “all-trans” isomers of 2 and 3 are reported and discussed. A definite separation is possible between substituent and configuration influence on the chemical shifts as well as on the coupling constants.     

The polymerization of isobutylene by AlCl3 in CH2Cl2 and the role of CH2Cl2 in the initiation reaction

A solution of AlCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂ prepared in advance was used 18 days after the mixing of the components as an initiation system in the polymerization of isobutylene performed in CH₂Cl₂ in the temperature range between ?10 and ?20°C. The ¹H-NMR analysis of polyisobutylene (PIB) samples synthesized to low and high conversion showed that it is the initiation reaction and not the transfer reaction to dichloromethane that is responsible for the ? CH₂Cl endgroup in the polymer chain. In case of the transfer to monomer formation of PIB with internal terminal unsaturation [PIB? CH?C(CH₃)₂] is preferred to external unsaturation [PIB? CH₂(CH₃)C?CH₂]. The solutions of AlCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂ showed an absorption band at λ_max = 302 nm.     

Fluorierte Elementorganica: Oxidative Flüssigphasen-Direktfluorierung. X. Organyloxyfluorphosphorane: Direktsynthese durch F2-Addition an Phosphinic-, Phosphonic- sowie Phosphoricsäureester(fluoride) und Thermolyseverhalten

Fluorinated Organoelements: Oxidative Liquid-Phase Direct Fluorination. X. Organyloxyfluorophosphoranes: Direct Synthesis by F₂-Addition to Phosphinic-, Phosphonic-, and Phosphoric-Acid Ester(fluorides) and Thermal Behaviour The phenoxyfluorophosphoranes (PhO)₂PF₂R ( 2a: R = CH₃, 2b: R = Ph) and (PhO)_3?nPF_n+2 ( 4a: n = 0, 4b: n = 1, 4c: n = 2) were obtained in reasonable yield by direct fluorination of the corresponding organyloxy(fluoro)phosphanes for the first time. Contrary to 4c the intramolecular ligand exchange can be frozen up in 4b. The up to now unknown thermally unstable alkoxy-substituted difluorides (AlkO)_3?PF₂R_n ( 6a: Alk = CH₃, R = Ph), n = 2; 6b: Alk = CH₂CF₃, R = Ph, n = 2; 6c: Alk = CH₃, R = Ph, n = 1; 6d: Alk = CH₃, n = 0) were isolated by low temperature F₂-addition in pure substance, too. Their thermal decomposition (scrambling, CH₃F-elimination) was cleared up for 6a as model substance and transferred to (CH₃O)₃PF₂ 6d Here the splitting of (CH₃)₂O under “Arbusov-conditions” is very surprising. The trigonal bipyramidal covalent structure of all organyloxyphosphoranes was confirmed by multinuclear ¹⁹F, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H}) NMR experiments.     

Ethene elimination from CH3CH2NH=CH 2 + : Reaction pathways at the boundary between stepwise and concerted processes

The elimination of ethene from CH₃CH₂NH=CH ₂ ⁺ is characterized by ab initio procedures. This reaction occurs through several asynchronous stages, but without passing through formal intermediates. A potential energy barrier to hydrogen migration from the β carbon to N is largely determined by the energy required to cleave the CN bond, but is lowered slightly by H transfer from the β to the α carbon and then to N. The complex [C₂H ₅ ⁺ NH=CH₂] is bypassed, even though that complex could exist at energies only slightly above that of the transition state for ethene elimination. Furthermore, conversion of a substantial reverse activation energy into energy of motion causes CH₂=NH ₂ ⁺ and CH₂=CH₂ to dissociate faster than they can form [CH₂=NH ₂ ⁺ CH₂=CH₂]. Comparison of results for CH₃CH₂NH=CH ₂ ⁺ to ab initio ones for methane from CH₃CH₂CH ₃ ⁺ and elimination of ethene from CH₃CH₂O=CH ₂ ⁺ and CH₃CH₂CH=OH⁺ reveals that these dissociations occur in a similar but, in each case, a distinct series of asynchronous steps or stages, and that there is no sharp demarcation between concerted and stepwise eliminations as presently defined. In dissociations of CH₃CH₂NH=CH ₂ ⁺ , loss of electron density at the C in the breaking N bond leads the transfer of electron density to that carbon by migration of a hydrogen from the adjacent C. We attribute this to a requirement for the moving H to be close to Cα before the moving H can start to develop covalent bonding to Cα. It is also concluded that elimination of ethene from CH₃CH₂NH=CH ₂ ⁺ avoids a Woodward-Hoffmann symmetry-imposed barrier by H migrating sufficiently from the β to the α carbon on the way to N, so that the dissociation is essentially a 1,1 rather than a 1,2 elimination.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of R[UO2(CH3COO)3] (R = H3O+ or NH(C2H5) 3+ )

Single crystals of (H₃O)[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃] (I) and (NH(C₂H₅)₃)[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃] (II) are synthesized, and their structures are studied by X-ray crystallography. Compound I crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system with the unit cell parameters a = 13.70640(10) ?, c = 27.5258(5) ?, V = 5171.14(11) ?³, space group I4₁/a, Z = 16, R = 0.0238. The crystals of compound II are orthorhombic with the parameters a = 13.3685(3) ?, b = 10.6990(3) ?, c = 12.2616(3) ?, V = 1753.77(8) ?³, space group Pna2₁, Z = 4, R = 0.0228. The uranium-containing structural units of crystals I and II are [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ island mononuclear groups belonging to the A B₃⁰¹(A = UO₂²⁺, B⁰¹ = CH₃COO⁻) crystal-chemical group of uranyl complexes. [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ complexes are linked into a three-dimensional framework by electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere cations and by hydrogen bonds involving the hydrogen atoms of hydroxonium (I) or triethylammonium (II) with the oxygen atoms of the acetato groups.     

Absolute rate constants for F + CH3CHO and CH3CO + O2, relative rate study of CH3CO + NO,and the product distribution of the F + CH3CHO reaction

Using a pulse-radiolysis transient UV–VIS absorption system, rate constants for the reactions of F atoms with CH₃CHO (1) and CH₃CO radicals with O₂ (2) and NO (3) at 295 K and 1000 mbar total pressure of SF₆ was determined to be k₁=(1.4±0.2)×10⁻¹⁰, k₂=(4.4±0.7)×10⁻¹², and k₃=(2.4±0.7)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. By monitoring the formation of CH₃C(O)O₂ radicals (λ>250nm) and NO₂ (λ=400.5nm) following radiolysis of SF₆/CH₃CHO/O₂ and SF₆/CH₃CHO/O₂/NO mixtures, respectively, it was deduced that reaction of F atoms with CH₃CHO gives (65±9)% CH₃CO and (35±9)% HC(O)CH₂ radicals. Finally, the data obtained here suggest that decomposition of HC(O)CH₂O radicals via C C bond scission occurs at a rate of <4.7×10⁵ s⁻¹. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 913–921, 1998