Reaction kinetics of (CF3)2CFCN with OH radicals as a function of temperature (278–358K): A good replacement for greenhouse SF6?

Highlights: • Rate coefficients for the OH + (CF₃)₂CFCN reaction are reported (T = 278–358 K). • An activation energy of (15.4 ± 1.3) kJ/mol was obtained. • (CF₃)₂CFCN does not absorb in the UV solar actinic region (λ > 290 nm). • IR absorption cross sections for (CF₃)₂CFCN were determined (500–4000 cm⁻¹). • Lifetime and GWP_100-yr for (CF₃)₂CFCN were 47 years and 3646, respectively. In many industrial applications, (CF₃)₂CFCN has been suggested as SF₆ substitute, which possess a global warming potential (GWP₁₀₀-yr) of 23500 relative to CO₂. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficient (k_OH) for the OH + (CF₃)₂CFCN reaction is reported for the first time: k_OH(278–358 K) = (5.9 ± 3.2) × 10⁻¹³exp{−(1856 ± 162)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. A lifetime of 47 years was estimated relative to that of CH₃CCl₃. Infrared absorption cross sections were also determined to derive the radiative efficiency (0.28 W m⁻² ppbv⁻¹). A GWP₁₀₀-yr of 3646 was estimated, resulting in a significant reduction of the contribution to global warming if SF₆ was replaced by (CF₃)₂CFCN.