ULTRAVIOLET-SPECTRUM OF CF3OH - UPPER LIMITS TO THE ABSORPTION CROSS-SECTIONS

The ultraviolet spectra of gaseous and liquid samples of the species C F3OH have been investigated in the laboratory. Upper limits to the abs orption cross sections in the 190 - 300 nm wavelength range were deter mined. The species CF3OH is produced in the stratosphere by hydrogen a bstraction reactions involving the CF3O radical; the upper limits to t he ultraviolet absorption cross sections established in this work impl y that photolysis of CF3OH in the stratosphere is too slow to regenera te CF3O radicals at rates significant for ozone depletion.