The elementary reaction of CHF((X)over-tilde(1)A ') with ozone

The reaction CHF((X) over tilde(1)A') + O-3 --> products (1) has been studied in an isothermal flow reactor in the temperature range from 235 K to 443 K and at a pressure of about p = 2 mbar under pseudo first order conditions, [O-3](0) >> [CHF](0). He was the main carrier gas. The CHF((X) over tilde) radical was produced in the reaction sequence CH3F + F --> CH2F + HF; CH2F + F --> CHF((X) over tilde) + HF and detected by laser induced fluorescence. For reaction (1) a value of the rate constant: k(1)(T) = (6.1+/-0.6) . 10(12)(T/298 K)(-0.6+/-0.4) [cm(3)/mol S] was obtained. No change in the rate constant was observed, substituting He by the quenchers N-2 or SF6. The reaction mechanism is discussed.