An in situ IR study of the thermal decomposition of trifluoroacetic acid

The pyrolysis of trifluoroacetic acid has been carried out in the temperature range 513-593 K both as the neat gas and also in the presence of nitrogen as diluent, Reactions were carried out in a sealed sodium borosilicate glass cell, and the progress of the reaction was monitored by in situ Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, The principal products are CHF3, CF3COF and CO2, but significant amounts of other species including C2F4, CO and SiF4 are also produced, The formation of HF is observed directly for the first time for this reaction as is the formation of a number of other minor species (formaldehyde, formyl fluoride and hexafluoropropylene oxide).