Frequency Dependent Kinetics of the CW CO₂ Laser Induced Reaction of CF₃CF₂Cl

Abstract

Kinetics of the decomposition of CF₃CF₂Cl at 50 torr by a cw CO₂ laser have been studied over a range of laser frequencies extending 36 cm⁻¹ below an absorption band center at 980 cm⁻¹. At constant translational temperature, the change in the rate constant with laser frequency is a factor of 100, comparable to the effect previously observed in CF₂ClCF₂Cl. Arrhenius plots show an activation energy of 86.2 kcal/mole, independent of frequency.