FTIR smog chamber techniques have been used to investigate the mechanism of the reaction of CH3CF2O2 with HO2 radicals in 100-700 Torr of synthetic air at 296 K. The reaction gives CH3CF2OOH and COF2 in molar yields of 0.53 +/- 0.05 and 0.47 +/- 0.05, respectively. Results are discussed with respect to the atmospheric chemistry of peroxy radicals and the environmental impact of R-152a. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.