Energy randomization in the reactions of F atoms at the carboxyl sites of CH3COOH and CF3COOH

The HF and DF vibrational distributions for the hydrogen abstraction reactions between F atoms and CH₃COOD, CD₃COOH, CF₃COOD and CF₃COO have been measured by arrested relaxation infrared chemiluminescence. Phase space calculations have been carried out which accurately reproduce the dis observed for the reactions at the carboxyl site in each case. The calculations suggest that the energy is not completely randomised during the acetic a whereas the trifluoroacetic acid reactions show ergodic behaviour.