Trifluoromethyl Sulfur Pentafluoride (CF3SF5): A Review of the Recently Discovered Super-Greenhouse Gas in the Atmosphere

ABSTRACT

Trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride (CF3SF5) is considered to be the most potent greenhouse gas present in the Earth’s atmosphere. Its global warming potential is estimated to be 18 000 times that of carbon dioxide. CF3SF5 is resistant to photolysis and to reactions with common atmospheric and industrial ions, however it has been observed to react with positive ions in the ionosphere and undergo both electron attachment and protonation. Its lifetime in the atmosphere is estimated to be on the order of 1000 years. Levels prior to the 1960s are estimated to be zero, providing strong evidence that it is solely of anthropogenic origin. At a current atmospheric concentration of approximately 0.12 to 0.16 parts per trillion, CF3SF5 does not contribute significantly to total radiative forcing, but because of its atmospheric lifetime and stability, it is still of considerable importance with regards to Earth’s future climate.