On S/sub 2/F/sub 10/ formation in spark breakdown of SF/sub 6/

The authors report on the gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of sparked SF/sub 6/ and the comparison with the analyses of 0.5% S/sub 2/F/sub 10//SF/sub 6/ mixtures. Under the GC conditions used, a peak is observed at elution times identical (to within 0.8%) to the S/sub 2/F/sub 10/ peak in the S/sub 2/F/sub 10//SF/sub 6/ samples. Measurements made on SO/sub 2//SF/sub 2//SF/sub 6/ mixtures indicate that SO/sub 2/ elutes from the column at times extremely close to but slightly longer (by 10%) than what is believed to be the S/sub 2/F/sub 10/ peak. Although complete confirmation of the identification of S/sub 2/F/sub 10/ in the sparked SF/sub 6/ samples awaits further measurements by mass spectrometry of the GC effluent, these analyses indicate that S/sub 2/F/sub 10/ is formed in amounts (on the order of hundreds of p.p.m.) consistent with concentrations necessary for producing the toxic effects previously observed.<>