Kinetics of the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CH2OH with OH radicals and its atmospheric lifetime

CF₃CF₂CH₂OH is a new chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) alternative. However, there are few data about its atmospheric fate. The kinetics of its atmospheric oxidation, the OH radical reaction of CF₃CF₂CH₂OH, has been investigated in a 2‐liter Pyrex reactor in the temperature range of 298 ～ 356 K using gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) for analysis in this study. The rate coefficient of k₁ = (2.27) × 10^?12 exp?(900 ± 70)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 was determined using the relative rate method. The results are in good agreement with the literature values and the prediction of Atkinson's structure–activity relationship (SAR) model. From these results, the atmospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CH₂OH in the troposphere was deduced to be 0.34 year, which is 250 and 6 times shorter than those of CFC‐113 and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC‐225ca), respectively. Therefore CF₃CF₂CH₂OH has significant potential for the replacement of CFC‐113 and HCFC‐225ca. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 73–78, 2000