The gas-phase kinetics of the reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl iodine with HI: The C?I bond dissocation energy in 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide

The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide with hydrogen iodide has been studied over the temperature range of 525°K to 602°K and a tenfold variation in the ratio of CF₃CH₂I/HI. The experimental results are in good agreement with the expected free radical-mechanism: An analysis of the kinetic data yield: where θ =2.303RT in kcal/mol. If these results are combined with the assumption that E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol, then one obtains DH (CF₃CH₂? I) = 56.3 kcal/mol. This result may be compared with DH(CH₃CH₂? I) = 52.9 kcal/mol and suggests that substitution of three fluorines for hydrogen in the beta position strengthens the C? I bond slightly.