Reaction of ground-state oxygen atoms with cis- and trans-1,2-difluoroethene

Abstract

The reactions of ground-state oxygen atoms with cis- and trans-1,2-difluorethene have been studied over the pressure range 50–760 mmHg at room temperature. The results show that the primary reaction in both cases is almost entirely O + CHFCHF → CHFO + CHF. The monofluorocarbene radical formed adds stereospecifically to the difluoroethene, and the resulting hot 1,2,3-trifluorocyclopropane may be collisionally stabilised or isomerise to 1,2,3-trifluoropropenes.