The thermal stability of gaseous tetrafluoroethylene oxide has been examined between 40deg; and 140deg;C. In this range of temperatures two distinct modes of decomposition have been observed. At higher temperature a unimolecular process takes place with the formation of carbonyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, and perfluorocyclopropane. Isomerization occurs through a heterogeneous reaction on the wall in the lowhyphen;temperature range leading to trifluoroacetyl fluoride.The unimolecular behavior is treated according to the Ricemdash;Ramspergermdash;Kassel theory. A kinetic scheme, which is in agreement with the experimental results, is proposed for the formation of the products.
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