Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications - digital archive 

Abstract

CW-CO₂ laser-induced and SF₆-sensitized decomposition of trifluoroacetic anhydride affords carbonyl fluoride, carbon monoxide and trifluoroacetyl fluoride, the products different from those given by a conventional heating. The products and the kinetics of the laser-induced reaction reflect a different behaviour of presumably formed transient ^.CF₂CO₂^. biradical under conditions precluding heterogeneous reaction on the reactor walls and point out that the fate of the ^.CF₂CO₂^. species formed during the laser-powered homogeneous pyrolysis of trifluoroacetic acid and that of trifluoroacetic anhydride is under these conditions identical. The reverse order of thermal stability for trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride observed during the conventional and laser-induced pyrolysis suggests the laser-powered homogeneous process as a tool for modification of compounds' (relative) thermal stability ascertained under conventional thermal conditions including participation of heterogeneous surface reactions.