The reaction of fluorine atoms with formyl fluoride and the CFO self‐reaction at 293 K

A fast‐flow apparatus with mass spectrometric detection was used to study the system F + CHFO between 2 and 3.5 mbar total pressure. The rate constant of the primary reaction was evaluated directly to yield at 298 K k (1) = (8.8 ± 1.4) * 10 −13 cm 3 * molecule −1 * s −1 . Numerical modelling was used to determine the rate constant at 298 K of the subsequent reaction CFO + CFO → CF 2 O + CO: k (2) = (4.9 ± 2.0) * 10 −11 cm 3 * molecule −1 * s −1 . The possible occurrences of secondary reactions, CFO + F + M → CF 2 O + M, and CFO + F 2 → CF 2 O + F, can be excluded under the present conditions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.