Direct Effect of Fast Electrons on Hexafluoroacetylacetone

Abstract

The radiolysis of liquid and boiling hexafluoroacetylacetone has been studied. The structure of the main radiolysis products indicates the predominance of C–CF₃ and C–F bond cleavages. Ten compounds including monoketones, trifluoroacetic acid, keto alcohols, and tautomeric tetraketones were formed. Carbon monoxide was the main gaseous product, and its yield increased under boiling conditions. The initial yields of hexafluoroacetylacetone degradation were 0.29 ± 0.2 and 0.32 ± 0.2 µmol/J at 293 and 343 K, respectively. No accumulation of free HF was observed at low doses. The products of radiolysis are less diverse than those in acetylacetone; this is due to enhancement of the cage effect and to an increase the Onsager radius and the ability of trifluoromethyl groups to dissipate excitation energy.