Kinetics and mechanism of the thermal decomposition of difluoroacetic acid

The main products of decomposition of difluoroacetic acid in silica over the range 254–382 °C are carbon monoxide, formyl fluoride, carbon dioxide, silicon tetrafluoride, and difluoroacetyl fluoride. The initial step of decomposition is believed to be γ-elimination of hydrogen fluoride, followed mainly by the formation of carbon monoxide and of formyl fluoride, which itself decomposes. There is no evidence for dehydration to difluoroketen, nor for the formation of fluorocarbene.