Spectroscopic evidence for the existence of the CF3OSO3 radical

The first spectroscopic evidence for the existence of the CF(3)OSO(3) radical has been obtained from matrix isolation and FT-IR and UV spectroscopic studies. The vibrational frequencies measured are in reasonable agreement with predictions from density functional calculations. Upon visible and UV photolysis of the CF(3)OSO(3) radical, SO(3) is produced and provides experimental support for a new light-driven route for the oxidation of SO(2) to SO(3) assisted by CF(3)O radicals.

Trifluoromethoxycarbonyl Peroxynitrate, CF3OC(O)OONO2

The trioxide, CF(3)OC(O)OOOC(O)OCF(3), reacts with NO(2) at 0 degrees C to yield the new peroxynitrate, CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2), which is stable for hours at room temperature. It is spectroscopically characterized and some thermal properties are reported. From the vapor pressure, ln(p/p(0)) = 14.06 - 4565/T, of the liquid above the melting point of -89 degrees C, the extrapolated boiling point is 52 degrees C. CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2) dissociates at higher temperatures and low pressures into the radicals CF(3)OC(O)OO and NO(2) as demonstrated by matrix isolation experiments. The matrix-isolated peroxy radicals consist in a rotameric mixture of trans,trans,trans-CF(3)OC(O)OO and trans,trans,cis-CF(3)OC(O)OO, where trans and cis denote dihedral angles of ca. 180 degrees and 0 degree, respectively, around beta F-C-O-C, beta C-O-C-O, and beta O-C-O-O, with an equilibrium composition dependent on the thermolysis temperature. The radical trans,trans,cis-CF(3)OC(O)OO is found to be ca. 3 kJ mol(-1) higher in enthalpy than trans,trans,trans-CF(3)OC(O)OO. DFT calculations are performed to support the vibrational assignments and to provide structural information about CF(3)OC(O)OONO(2).

IR and UV spectra of the matrix-isolated peroxy radicals CF3OO, trans-FC(O)OO, and cis-FC(O)OO

The peroxy radicals CF3OO and FC(O)OO are prepared in high yields by vacuum flash pyrolysis of ROONO2 or ROOOR (R=CF3, FC(O)), highly diluted in inert gases, and subsequent isolation in inert-gas matrices by quenching the product mixtures at low temperatures. The IR spectrum of FC(O)OO was observed for the first time and eight fundamentals as well as several combinations were measured and assigned for both cis and trans rotamers of FC(O)OO. Discrepancies in an earlier assignment of the fundamentals of CF3OO have been eliminated and its IR spectrum is reported fully. The matrix UV spectra of both peroxy radicals (X2A"--> 2(2)A" transition) are in agreement with the gas-phase spectra; however, there are differences in the absorption cross-sections, for which possible reasons are discussed. The X2A"--> 1(2)A' transitions in the near IR region are too weak to be detected with our instrumentation.