Atmospheric Chemistry of 2-ethoxy-3,3,4,4,5-pentafluorotetrahydro-2,5-bis[1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro- 1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]-furan:  Kinetics, Mechanisms, and Products of Cl Atom and OH Radical Initiated Oxidation

Smog chamber/FTIR techniques were used to study the atmospheric chemistry of the title compound which we refer to as R fOC2H5. Rate constants of k(Cl + R fOC2H5) = (2.70 ± 0.36) × 10-12, k(OH + R fOC2H5) = (5.93 ± 0.85) × 10-14, and k(Cl + R fOCHO) = (1.34 ± 0.20) × 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 were measured in 700 Torr of N2, or air, diluent at 294 ± 1 K. From the value of k(OH + R fOC2H5) the atmospheric lifetime of R fOC2H5 was estimated to be 1 year. Two competing loss mechanisms for R fOCH(O•)CH3 radicals were identified in 700 Torr of N2/O2 diluent at 294 ± 1 K; decomposition via C−C bond scission giving a formate (R fOCHO), or reaction with O2 giving an acetate (R fOC(O)CH3). In 700 Torr of N2/O2 diluent at 294 ± 1 K the rate constant ratio k O 2 /k diss = (1.26 ± 0.74) × 10-19 cm3 molecule-1. The OH radical initiated atmospheric oxidation of R fOC2H5 gives R fOCHO and R fOC(O)CH3 as major products. R fOC2H5 has a global warming potential of approximately 55 for a 100 year horizon. The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of R fOC2H5.