Atmospheric chemistry of trans-CF3CH = CHF: products and mechanisms of hydroxyl radical and chlorine atom initiated oxidation

Smog chamber/FTIR techniques were used to study the products and mechanisms of OH radical and Cl atom initiated oxidation of trans-CF3CH = CHF in 700 Torr of N-2/O-2 diluent at 295 +/- 1 K. Hydroxyl radical initiated oxidation leads to the formation of CF3CHO and HC(O)F in yields which were indistinguishable from 100% and were not dependent on the O-2 partial pressure. Chlorine atom initiated oxidation gives HC(O)F, CF3CHO, CF3C(O)Cl, and CF3C(O)CHFCl. The yields of CF3C(O)Cl and CF3C(O)CHFCl increased at the expense of HC(O)F and CF3CHO as the O-2 partial pressure was increased over the range 5-700 Torr. The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of trans-CF3CH = CHF.