UV absorption spectra, kinetics and mechanisms of the self-reaction of CHF₂O₂ radicals in the gas phase at 298-K

The ultraviolet-absorption spectrum and the self-reaction of CHF2O2 radicals have been studied in the gas phase at 298 K using the pulse radiolysis technique and long-pathlength Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Absorption cross sections were quantified over the wavelength range 220-280 nm. The measured cross section near the absorption maximum was sigma(CHF2O2)(240 nm) = (2.66 +/- 0.46) x 10(-18) cm2 molecule-1. The absorption cross section data were used to derive the observed self-reaction rate constant for the reaction CHF2O2 + CHF2O2 --> products, defined as d[R]/dt = 2k(1obs)[CHF2O2]2, k(1obs) = (5.0 +/- 0.7) x 10(-12) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 (+/- 2-sigma). The only carbon-containing product observed by FTIR spectroscopy was FC(O)F. These results are discussed with respect to previous studies of peroxy radicals.