Application of the RRKM theory to the unimolecular decomposition of 1,2-difluoroethane

Abstract

The rate constants for the unimolecular elimination of HF from chemically-activated CH₂FCH₂F, produced in the photolysis of 1,3-difluoroacetone alone and in the presence of silanes, have been interpreted in terms of the RRKM theory of unimolecular reactions, and a critical energy of 63 kcal mol^–1* obtained for the reaction. The rate constants are compared with previous data, and the dependence of the results on the thermochemistry of the system, and on the transition state model adopted are discussed.