A variety of oxy- and peroxy radicals (RO and ROO) are known, but among the trioxy radicals, only HOOO and FOOO have been characterized. Nevertheless, higher trioxy species have been suggested to be important participants in atmospheric chemistry. The CF3OOO radical in particular is thought to play a role in ozone depletion, and von Ahsen et al. have now formed and isolated this species. The products of the flash thermolysis of the peroxy species CF3OC(O)OOCF3 in excess oxygen were trapped in a cold matrix. Analysis of infrared and ultraviolet spectra differentiated the product from CF3O, which is produced in the absence of oxygen; upon intense irradiation, the formation of COF2 and FOO as products confirmed that a trioxy species had been generated initially. The formation of CF3OOO has implications for the reactions of CF3O radicals and may bolster claims for the involvement of ClOOO radicals in ozone loss chemistry. -- PDS
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42, 4690 (2003).
