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Assessing 2-Fluorobutane (CH 3 CHFCH 2 CH 3 ) as a Climate-Friendly Alternative: Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Warming Potentials

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide 2-Fluorobutane (HFC-3-10-1se, CH 3 CHFCH 2 CH 3 ), a simple fluoroalkane, has received less attention than other widely used hydrofluorocarbons. Understanding its atmospheric chemistry is essential for evaluating its potential as a low- Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternative in industrial applications. Currently, only estimates of GWP relative to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at time horizons of 20 and 100 years (GWP 20 and GWP 100 ) have been reported to be 4 and 1, respectively, based on the calculated radiative efficiency (RE) and estimated rate coefficients ( k OH ) for the gas-phase reaction of hydroxyl (OH) radicals. Here, we present the first experimental kinetic study of the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with CH 3 CHFCH 2 CH 3 using a pulsed laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence technique (PLP-LIF) ( T = 264.0–353.2 K; P = 60–230 Torr of helium). Contrary to previous estimates, no temperature dependence of the OH-rate coefficients, k OH ( T ), was observed. A weighted average of k OH ( T )=(1.75 ± 0.56)×10 –12 cm 3 molecule –1 s –1 corresponds to a global tropospheric lifetime, τ OH, of 6.7 days. Additionally, the ultraviolet (UV, λ = 190–300 nm) and infrared (IR, 3500–500 cm –1 ) absorption cross sections of CH 3 CHFCH 2 CH 3 were determined at 298 K by gas-phase UV and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. No absorption above 219 nm was observed, therefore UV photolysis of 2-fluorobutane in the solar actinic region (λ > 290 nm) is not expected. From the IR absorption cross sections, the instantaneous radiative efficiency (RE inst ) was calculated to be 0.0562 W m –2 ppbv –1, while RE with atmospheric lifetime correction and adjustment for stratospheric temperature was 0.0037 W m –2 ppbv –1 . Using lifetime corrected RE and τ OH values, GWP 20 and GWP 100 were calculated to be 0.220 and 0.062. These findings suggest that its rapid atmospheric removal minimizes its contribution to climate change.

Source: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.6c00059

Authors: Elena Jiménez, Laura Gómez-Montes, José Albaladejo, Ole J. Nielsen

Institutions: University of Castilla-La Mancha, University of Copenhagen

Language: English

Topic: Atmospheric Ozone and Climate

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500