Mechanism of photo-oxidation of heptafluorobutyric anhydride in the presence of NO2. Synthesis and characterization of heptafluoropropyl peroxynitrate, CF3CF2CF2OONO2.

The photolysis of heptafluorobutyric anhydride at 254 nm in the presence of NO(2) and O(2) has been studied. It leads to the formation of CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OONO(2), CF(3)CF(2)OONO(2), and CF(2)O as the only fluorine-containing carbonaceous products. The formation of the new heptafluoropropyl peroxynitrate (HFPN, CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OONO(2)), as one of the main products, is a consequence of the formation of CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)OO(•) radicals followed by the reaction with NO(2).