Catalytic process for the preparation of fluorinated halocarbons

Abstract

A process is described for the preparation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-difluoroethane by the reaction of 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride. in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. The process utilizes a rate enhancing reagent that is trichloroethylene, is 1-fluoro-1,2,3-trichloroethane or an aromatic rate enhancing reagent having the formula where R is C 1 to C 6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group, halo or nitro and R′ is C 1 to C 6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . In the process according to  claim 16  wherein the ratio is from about 0.1:1 to 1:1 rate enhancing reagent: R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       4 . In the process according to  claim 3  wherein the ratio is from about 0.25:1 rate enhancing reagent: R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       5 . In a process for the preparation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-difluoroethane by the reaction of 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane and mixtures containing 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a fluorination catalyst the improvement comprising adding to said reaction a rate enhancing reagent that is 1-fluoro-1,1,3-trichloroethane 
   
   
       6 . In the process according to  claim 5  wherein the ratio of the amount of rate enhancing reagent is from about 0.1:1 to about 1.5:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       7 . In the process according to  claim 6  wherein the ratio is from about 0.1:1 to about 1:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       8 . In the process according to  claim 7  wherein the ratio is from about 0.1:1 to about 0.25:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       9 . In a process for the preparation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-difluoroethane by the reaction of 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane and mixtures containing 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a fluorination catalyst, the improvement comprising adding to said reaction a rate enhancing reagent that is an aromatic rate enhancing reagent having the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     where R is C 1  to C 6  linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group, halo or nitro and R′ is C 1  to C 6  linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group. 
   
   
       10 . In the process according to  claim 9  wherein R and R′ are the same and are C 1  to C 6  linear or branched alkyl substitute with at least one halo group. 
   
   
       11 . In the process according to  claim 9  wherein R and R′ are the same and are C 1  to C 4  linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group. 
   
   
       12 . In the process according to  claim 9  wherein R and R′ are trifluoromethyl. 
   
   
       13 . In the process according to  claim 9  wherein the ratio of the amount of rate enhancing reagent is from about 0.1:1 to about 1.5:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       14 . In the process according to  claim 13  wherein the ratio is from about 0.1:1 to about 1:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       15 . In the process according to  claim 14  wherein the ratio is from about 0.1:1 to about 0.25:1 rate enhancing reagent:R-132b by volume. 
   
   
       16 . In a process for the preparation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane by the reaction of 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane or mixtures containing 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a fluorination catalyst, the improvement comprising adding to said reaction a rate enhancing reagent that is trichloroethylene wherein the ratio of said rate enhancing reagent to R-132b is from about 0.1:1 to about 1.5:1 rate enhancing reagent: R-132b by volume and said reaction is carried out at a temperature of from about 100° to about 175° C.