Mass spectrometric observation of difluorocarbene and its reactions in inhibited methane flames

Difluorocarbene has been observed in low-pressure (0.04 atm) methane flames to which small amounts (not more than 1%) of CF3Br have been added. Concentration profiles for this species in the reaction zone of the flame have been determined, and profiles of the net chemical reaction rates have been calculated. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that flame inhibition may be the result of a mechanism involving H atom scavenging reactions by the fluorocarbon part of the CF3Br molecule.