AB initio molecular orbital studies of CF3O2H,CF3O2F and CF2(OF)2

Ab initio calculations employing an extended 4-31G basis set have been applied to the highly fluorinated molecules, CF₃O₂H, CF₃O₂F and CF₂(OF)₂. Partial geometry optimizations have also been carried out on these molecules allowing a comparison between theory and the recently completed gas-phase electron diffraction results. The O-O bond distance in CF₃O₂ H is found to be longer (by 0.02 Å) than the corresponding bond in CF₃O₂F while the CO bond is found to be shorter (by 0.02 Å) in CF₃O₂H. The OF bond in CF₃O₂F is found to be longer (by 0.03–0.04 Å) than the corresponding bond in CF₃OF or F₂O. Torsional barriers have been computed for CF₃O₂H and CF₃O₂F with the aid of Fourier analysis of the potential curves. CF₃O₂H is found to have a torsional potential about the peroxide bond rather similar to that found for H₂O₂ while in CF₃O₂F the cis and trans barriers are predicted to be much larger (14.6 and 8.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively). The threefold barrier to rotation of the CF₃ group in CF₃O₂F is predicted to be 4.4 kcal mol^?1. Various conformations of CF₂(OF)₂ have also been studied with conformations consistent with the operation of the gauche-effect being most stable. Bond separation energies and molecular properties have also been computed for these molecules.