Atmospheric chemistry of CF₃CF₂OCH₃

Highlights: • The kinetics of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ reacting with OH radicals and Cl atoms were determined. • CF₃CF₂OCH₃ reacts with OH and Cl to give 100% CF₃CF₂OCHO. • The kinetics of the reaction of CF₃CF₂OCHO with Cl atoms was determined. • The estimated atmospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ is 5.0 years. • The estimated global warming potential of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ is GWP₁₀₀ = 585. Smog chamber Fourier transform infrared techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of the reaction of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ with Cl atoms and OH radicals: k(Cl + CF₃CF₂OCH₃) = (1.09 ± 0.16) × 10⁻¹³ and k(OH + CF₃CF₂OCH₃) = (1.28 ± 0.19) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ in 700 Torr total pressure of N₂/O₂ at 296 ± 2 K. The Cl-initiated oxidation of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ gives CF₃CF₂OCHO in a yield indistinguishable from 100%. An estimate of k(Cl + CF₃CF₂OCHO) = (1.18 ± 0.34) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ is provided. Based on the OH reaction rate, the atmospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ is estimated to be 5.0 years. The 100-year time horizon global warming potential of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ is estimated to be 585. The atmospheric impact of CF₃CF₂OCH₃ is discussed.