The thermal decomposition of CF2Cl2 (Freon-12) has been studied in ref
lected shock waves using the Cl atom atomic resonance absorption spect
roscopic (ARAS) detection technique. Experiments were performed with v
arying [CF2Cl2](0) in Kr diluent, over the temperature range 1446-2667
K, at three post-shock densities, 3.2, 2.2, and 1.2 x 10(18) cm(-3).
This is the first thermal rate study for CF2Cl2 (+M) --> CF2Cl + Cl(+M
). At 100% dissociation, the Cl atom yield, [Cl](infinity)/[CF2Cl2](0)
, is 2.02 +/- 0.13, confirming that C-Cl bond fission is the dominant
dissociation pathway for both the parent CF2Cl2 molecule and the produ
ct CF2Cl radical, CF2Cl(+M) --> CF2 + Cl (+M). Molecular elimination t
o give CF2 + Cl-2 does not occur. The data can be represented in secon
d order with the Arrhenius expression k(d) = (1.34 +/- 0.57) x 10(-7)
exp(-31663 +/- 714 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (+/-34% error at the
one standard deviation level) for 1446 less than or equal to T less th
an or equal to 2090 K. RRKM calculations have been applied to this rea
ction, and the temperature and pressure dependences of the rate consta
nts can be characterized with threshold energy, E(0) = 85 +/- 1 kcal m
ol(-1), and energy transfer parameter, [Delta E(down)] = 1050 +/- 150
cm(-1). This threshold energy implies Delta(f)H(0 CF2Cl)(0) = -60.1 +/
- 1 kcal mol(-1) acid a threshold energy for CF2Cl dissociation of E(0
) = 49.1 +/- 1 kcal mol(-1). This low band strength in CF2Cl is consis
tent with the observed fast dissociation to produce the second Cl atom
.