Atmospheric Chemistry of n-C3F7OCH3: Reaction with OH Radicals and Cl Atoms and Atmospheric Fate of n-C3F7OCH2O(•) Radicals

Relative rate techniques were used to measure k (OH+ n- C 3 F 7 OCH 3 ) = (1.2 ± 0.3) × 10 - 14, k (Cl+ n- C 3 F 7 OCH 3 ) = (9.1 ± 1.3) × 10 - 14, and k (Cl+ n- C 3 F 7 OC(O)H) = (8.2 ± 2.2) × 10 - 15 cm 3 molecule - 1 s - 1 at 295 K. From the value of k (OH+ n- C 3 F 7 OCH 3 ) an estimate of 4.7 years for the atmospheric lifetime of n- C 3 F 7 OCH 3 is obtained. It was determined that the sole atmospheric fate of n- C 3 F 7 OCH 2 O( • ) radicals is reaction with O 2 to give n- C 3 F 7 OC(O)H (perfluoro-propyl formate). The results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of n- C 3 F 7 OCH 3 .