We performed extensive theoretical
calculations to study the mechanisms,
thermochemistry, and kinetics of hydrogen abstraction reactions of
CF3CF2C(O)OCH3 and CHF2CF2C(O)OCH3 by OH radicals. Potential energy
diagrams were constructed at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/cc-pVTZ level
of theory. Two stable conformers were observed for CHF2CF2C(O)OCH3 molecule. A total of eight hydrogen
abstraction pathways are observed for the title reactions. Theoretical
rate coefficients are calculated by the dual-level direct dynamics
method using the canonical variational transition state theory with
small-curvature tunneling (SCT) over the 200–1000 K temperature
range. Rate coefficients are then fitted into a three-parameter-modified
Arrhenius equation. The rate coefficients of the title reactions are
compared with the literature values of similar species to establish
a reactivity trend. It is concluded that C–H bond reactivity
decreases with fluorine atom substitution. The atmospheric lifetime
of CF3CF2C(O)OCH3 is calculated to
be 1.15 years and that of CHF2CF2C(O)OCH3 to be 0.26 years. Global warming potentials are also calculated
over 20, 100, and 500 year time horizons. We performed a mechanistic
study to explore the atmospheric degradation of haloalkoxy radicals
[CF3CF2C(O)OCH2O• and CHF2CF2C(O)OCH2O•], and the sole atmospheric fate of their consumption has also been
reported.