The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal isomerization and decomposition of Trans- and Cis-1,2-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane

The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal isomerization between trans- and cis-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane as well as their decomposition to trans- and cis-perfluoro-2-butene, respectively, and CF₂, was studied in the temperature range of 473–533°K, with an initial pressure of reactant of 1.5 to 7.0 Torr. Some runs were also made with the addition of SF₆ as an inert gas up to a total pressure of 100 Torr. The reactions are first order and homogeneous. The rate constants for the geometrical isomerization fit the following Arrhenius relations: and the corresponding equations for the decomposition of the trans and cis-cyclopropane are .