SYNTHESIS AND PYROLYSIS OF PERFLUOROAZO-2-PROPANE

An improved method has been used to synthesize perfluoroazo-2-propane. Pyrolysis over the temperature range 450-514 K in a static system has been shown to be a homogeneous, first-order process. No pressure depe ndence was observed in the presence of excess inert gas (SF6). The onl y products were nitrogen and perfluoro-2,3-dimethylbutane. The rate co nstant (k) for the decomposition process is given by: log(k/s(-1)) = 1 6.7 +/- 0.2 - (9856 +/- 109)/T These results lead to a straightforward mechanism for the decomposition process (1) i-C3F7N2 i-C3F7 --> i-C3F 7N2 + i-C3F7 (2) i-C3F7N2 --> i-C3F7 + N-2 (3) 2i-C3F7 --> (i-C3F7)(2) The results are compared with those for other azo compounds. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.