Hydrogen abstraction from copolymers of fluorinated olefins and allyl or vinyl ethers by hydroxyl radicals: a computational quantum semi-empirical study

The theoretical study of hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals on two substrates (copolymers of fluorinated olefins and allyl or vinyl ethers) was carried using the MNDO, AM1 and PM3 quantum semi-empirical methods. This study was performed as a function of the site of hydrogen abstraction and of the computational method. The results of the calculations clearly show that the transition state is early along the reaction coordinate and pinpoint that the reactions are not under enthalpic control. The results provide evidence of the importance of the polar effects due to the fluorine atoms.