Pyrolysis of Trifluoroacetaldehyde

The thermal decomposition of trifluoroacetaldehyde has been studied over the 460–520 °C temperature range, and at pressures from 4 to 400 mm Hg. The experimental rate equation in the high-pressure region is of the form: Rate = k[CF3CHO]3/2 where[Formula: see text]The results are consistent with a mechanism initiated by a first order process and terminated by a second order recombination of two CF3 free radicals. At lower pressures (40 mm Hg), the ratio of kinit/kterm is pressure dependent and the overall order increases. The effects of added inert gas confirm this pressure dependence.