Photolysis of chloropentafluoroacetone (CF3COCF2Cl)

Abstract

The photolysis of chloropentafluoroacetone with u.v. light of wavelength 3130 Å has been shown to involve a primary breakdown into carbon monoxide, CF₃· and CF₂Cl· radicals. An alternative mode of decomposition which becomes more important at shorter wavelengths involves the production of chlorine atoms and CF₃COCF₂ radicals. The interaction of these primary radicals produces two halogenated methanes, CF₃Cl, CF₂Cl₂, three halogenated ethanes, C₂F₆, C₂F₅Cl, C₂F₄Cl₂, three halogenated propanes, C₃F₈, C₃F₇Cl, C₃F₆Cl₂, and octafluorobut-3-one. The rate constant for the combination of CF₃· and CF₂Cl· radicals has been calculated to be 1·6 × 10¹³ ml. mole^–1 sec.^–1.