Trichloroacetyl chloride, CCl 3 COCl, as an alternative Cl atom precursor for laboratory use and determination of Cl atom rate coefficients for n-CH 2 [double bond, length as m-dash]CH(CH 2 ) x CN (x = 3-4).

An investigation of CCl3COCl was conducted with the purpose of using the compound as an alternative Cl atom precursor in laboratory settings. CCl3COCl can be used with or without O(2)as a source of Cl atoms and photolysis studies in air and N(2)diluent displayed COCl(2)and CO as being the major photolysis products. Relative rate studies were performed to determine the Cl atom rate coefficients for reaction with CH3Cl and C(2)H(2)and the results were in agreement with literature values. Cl atom rate coefficients for reaction withn-CH2 & xe001;CH(CH2)(3)CN andn-CH2 & xe001;CH(CH2)(4)CN were determined as (2.95 +/- 0.58) x 10(-10)and (3.73 +/- 0.60) x 10(-10)cm(3)molecule(-1)s(-1), respectively. CCl3COCl requires UV-C irradiation, so not all molecules are feasible for use ine.g.relative rate studies. Furthermore, it is recommended to perform experiments with O(2)present, as this minimizes IR feature disturbance from product formation.