Atmospheric degradation of CF3OCF=CF2:: Kinetics and mechanism of its reaction with OH radicals and Cl atoms

Smog chamber/FTIR techniques were used to study the OH radical and Cl atom initiated oxidation of CF3-OCF=CF2 in 700 Torr of air at 296 K. Using relative rate techniques it was determined that k(OH + CF3-OCF=CF2) = (2.6 +/- 0.3) x 10(-12) and k(Cl + CF3OCF=CF2) = (3.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) Cl atom initiated atmospheric oxidation of CF3OCF=CF2 gives COF2 and CF3OC(O)F in molar yields of 100%. OH radical initiated atmospheric oxidation of CF3OCF=CF2 in 700 Torr of air at 295 R gives COF2, CF3OC(O)F, and FC(O)C(O)F in molar yields of 90, 53, and 40%. The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric degradation mechanism of CF3OCF=CF2 and other ethers.