Gas phase UV and IR absorption spectra of CF3CH2CH2OH and F(CF2CF2)xCH2CH2OH (x = 2, 3, 4)

The UV and IR spectra of CF3CH2CH2OH and F(CF2CF2)xCH2CH2OH (x = 2, 3, 4) were investigated using computational and experimental techniques. Computational methods were used to show that CF3CH2CH2OH and F(CF2CF2)xCH2CH2OH (x = 2, 3) have UV absorption in the region 140-175 nm. Photolysis is therefore not a significant environmental loss mechanism for fluorinated alcohols. Experimental methods were used to record IR spectra for CF3CH2CH2OH and F(CF2CF2)xCH2CH2OH (x = 2, 3, 4) at spectral resolutions of 0.004-0.5 cm−1 with, and without, 700 Torr of air diluent. There was no discernable effect of total pressure or spectral resolution over the range studied. Calculated IR spectra agreed well with those measured experimentally, and were used to assign the IR spectra.