Atmospheric chemistry of CF3CH2OCH3: Reaction with chlorine atoms and OH radicals, kinetics, degradation mechanism and global warming potential

FTIR smog chamber techniques were used to measure k(Cl + CF3CH2OCH3) = (2.28 ± 0.44) × 10−11 and k(OH + CF3CH2OCH3) = (4.9 ± 1.3) × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 in 700 Torr total pressure of air at 296 ± 2 K. The atmospheric lifetime of CF3CH2OCH3 is estimated at 25 days. Reaction of Cl atoms with CF3CH2OCH3 proceeds 79 ± 4% at the CH3 group and 22 ± 2% at the CH2 group. Reaction with OH radicals proceeds 55 ± 5% at the CH3 group yielding CF3CH2OCHO and 45 ± 5% at the CH2 group yielding COF2 and CH3OCHO as primary oxidation products. The infrared spectrum of CF3CH(O)OCH3 was measured and a global warming potential GWP100 = 8 was estimated. The atmospheric chemistry and environmental impact of CF3CH2OCH3 is discussed in context of the use of hydrofluoroethers as CFC substitutes.