The radiolysis of gaseous trifluoromethyl iodide

Abstract

γ-Radiolysis of gaseous CF₃I produces CF₄ (G = 0.77), C₂F₆ (G = 3.0), C₂F₄ (G = O.89), and 12 (G = 4.08). In the presence of nitric oxide or bromine, the fluorocarbon products are removed and high yields of scavenged products are obtained. In the presence of NO, G(I2) is 11.6; in the presence of Br₂, G(CF₃Br) is 20.1. Competition experiments using Br₂ and Cl₂ indicate that thermal free radicals are responsible for a major part of the decomposition mechanism. The high radical yields may be due to short chain reactions involving excited iodine atoms or recombination of ion clusters.