Atmospheric chemistry of CH 2 FOCH 2 F: Reaction with Cl atoms and atmospheric fate of CH 2 FOCHFO· radicals

Smog chamber/FTIR techniques were used to study the Cl atom initiated oxidation of CH 2 FOCH 2 F in 700 Torr of N 2 /O 2 at 296 K. Relative rate techniques were used to measure k (Cl + CH 2 FOCH 2 F) = (4.6 ± 0.7) × 10 −13 and k (Cl + CH 2 FOC(O)F) = (2.9 ± 0.8) × 10 −15 (in units of cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 ). Three competing fates for alkoxy radical CH 2 FOCHFO· formed in the self‐reaction of the corresponding peroxy radicals were identified. In 1 atm of air at 296 K, 48 ± 3% of CH 2 FOCHFO· radicals decompose via CO bond scission, 21 ± 4% react with O 2 , and 31 ± 4% undergo hydrogen atom elimination. Chemical activation effects were observed for CH 2 FOCHFO· radicals formed in the CH 2 FOCHFOO· + NO reaction. Infrared spectra of CH 2 FOC(O)F and FC(O)OC(O)F, which are produced during the Cl atom initiated oxidation of CH 2 FOCH 2 F, are presented. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 139–147, 2002; DOI 10.1002/kin.10038