METHOD FOR PRODUCING FLUORINATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

BACKGROUND

(1) Field of The Invention:

This invention relates to novel methods for preparing fluorinated organic compounds, and more particularly to methods of producing fluorinated olefins.

(2) Description of Related Art:

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's), in particular hydrofluoroalkenes such as tetrafluoropropenes (including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-l-propene (HFO-1234yf)) have been disclosed to be effective refrigerants, fire extinguishants, heat transfer media, propellants, foaming agents, blowing agents, gaseous dielectrics, sterilant carriers, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents, displacement drying agents and power cycle working fluids. Unlike chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), both of which potentially damage the Earth's ozone layer, HFCs do not contain chlorine and thus pose no threat to the ozone layer.

Several methods of preparing hydrofluoroalkanes are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,874 (Ihara et al) describes a method of making fluorine containing olefins by contacting hydrogen gas with fluorinated alcohols. U.S. Pat. No. 2,931,840 (Marquis) describes a method of making fluorine containing olefins by pyrolysis of methyl chloride and tetrafluoroethylene or chlorodifluoromethane. The preparation of HFO-1234yf from trifluoroacetylacetone and sulfur tetrafluoride has been described. See Banks, et al., Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, Vol. 82, Iss. 2, p. 171-174 (1997). Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,594 (Krespan) discloses a process wherein

tetrafluoroethylene is reacted with another fluorinated ethylene in the liquid phase to produce a polyfluoroolefϊn product.

Notwithstanding prior teachings, applicants have come to appreciate a continuing need for methods of efficiently preparing certain hydrofluorocarbons, particularly tetrafluorpropenes such as HFO-1234yf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicants have developed methods for producing fluorinated organic compounds, including hydrofluoropropenes, which preferably comprises contacting at least one compound of the formula (X _a Y _1-a )F with at least one compound of formula

(I):

CX ₃ CXYCH ₃ (I) where each X is independently Cl, I or Br, each Y is independently H or F and a is 0 or l.

The preferred contacting step of the present invention is carried out under conditions effective to produce a compound of formula (II) CF ₃ CZ=CH ₂ (II) where Z is Cl, I, Br, or F.

In certain preferred embodiments the contacting step produces a reaction product comprising tetrafluoropropene, and in particular 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-l-propene (HFO- 1234yf).

The contacting step preferably comprises reacting a compound of formula (I) with at least one compound of the formula (X _a Yi _-a )F, such as HF, in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst. In preferred embodiments, the conversion of the compound of formula I in the reaction is from about 70% to about 100 %. In certain

embodiments, including those which produce conversion levels as indicated herein, the selectivity of the reaction to tetrafluoropropene, and to HFO-1234yf in particular, is from about 5 to about 40%. In certain preferred embodiments the reaction product also contains a trifluor-monochloropropene, particularly 2-chloro, 3,3,3,trifluoro-l- propoene (HFO-1233xf) with a selectivity of from about 50% to about 90%.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

One beneficial aspect of the present invention is that it enables the production of desirable fluroolefins, preferably C3 fluoroolefins, from relatively low cost and readily obtainable starting materials. More specifically, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention involve producing the desired C3 fluoroolefin from C3 olefin's, such as propylene. Propylene is in many embodiments an advantageous starting material because it is relatively inexpensive, is relatively easy to handle, and is generally readily available in commercial quantities.

Thus, in certain embodiments the present methods include the step of reacting C3 olefin, such as propylene, with a halogenating agent (such as ClF or HF) under conditions effective to produce a compound of formula (III)

CH _3-11 X _n CXYCH ₃ (III) where n is 0, 1 or 2. This reaction is sometimes referred to herein for convenience ' but not necessarily by way of limitation, as a halogen addition reaction.

Preferably, the compound of formula (III) is then reacted, preferably in a photo-chlorination reaction, to produce a reaction product containing at least one compound of formula (I) as described above. Preferably the formula (I) compound is then exposed to reaction conditions, which are sometimes referred to herein for convenience, but not necessarily by way of limitation, as fiuorination to produce a reaction product containing one or more of the desired fluorolefins. Preferred aspects

of each of these preferred steps is described below, with the titles used as headings for these steps being used for convenience but not necessarily by way of limitation.

A. REACTION OF C3 OLEFIN WITH HALOGENATING AGENT

In preferred embodiments, a compound of formula (IV)

CH _n X ₃ - _n CHC=CH ₂ (IV) is contacted under reaction conditions with a compound of formula X _m Y _2-m wherein X, Y are as defined above, provided that the compound is not H ₂ , and m is 0, 1, or 2, to produce a compound of formual (III), namely, CH _n X _3-I iCXYCH ₃ , where n is 0, 1 or 2. In preferred embodiments, the compound of formula (IV) is propylene (n is 3 and X is H) and the compound of formula X _m Y ₂ - _m is one or more of ClF, Cl ₂ , F ₂ and HF, preferably one or more of ClF, Cl ₂ , and HF. The compound X _m Y _2-m , and compounds which perform a similar function in the present reactions, are referred to herein as halogenation agents.

In certain preferred embodiments, the contacting step comprises contacting, (preferably by introducing into a reactor) the compounds in an halogenation agent: formula (IV) mole ratio of from about 1 : 1 to about 4:1, and even more preferably of from about 2:1 to about 4:1. In preferred embodiments in which the compound of X _m Y _2-m comprises HF and the formula (IV) compound comprises propylene, the HF propylene mole ratio of the feeds to the reactor are from about 1 : 1 to about 10: land even more preferably from about 2:1 to about 4:1. In preferred embodiments in which the compound of X _m Y _2-m comprises ClF (X is Cl, Y is F, and m is 1) and the formula (TV) compound comprises propylene, the ClF .-propylene mole ratio of the feeds to the reactor are from about 10 to about 0.1 and even more

preferably from about 1 to about 0.2. In preferred embodiments in which the compound of X _m Y _2-m comprises Cl ₂ (m is 2 and X is Cl) and the formula (IV) compound comprises propylene, the Cl ₂ :propylene mole ratio of the feeds to the reactor are from about 5 to about 0.1 and even more preferably from about 1 to about 0.2.

This reaction step can be carried out in the liquid phase and/or in the gas phase, and it is contemplated that the reaction can be carried out batch wise, continuous, or a combination of these.

1. LIQUID PHASE HALOGEN ADDITION REACTIONS

Although not necessarily preferred, certain embodiments of the present invention (particularly when the X _m Y ₂ - _m compound is ClF, HF or Cl ₂ , or combinations of two or more of these) involve relatively low temperature reactions in which at least the organic reactant(s) are charged to the reactor as liquids, with the reactor preferably maintained at a temperature of from about -9O ⁰ C to about -5O ⁰ C, and at least a portion of the reaction is carried in the liquid phase (the normal boiling point H _n X _3-n of the preferred reactant propylene is - 47.8 ⁰ C). However, it is contemplated that at least some portion of the reaction product may be produced and/or removed from the reaction mixture in such embodiments as a gaseous material.

For those preferred embodiments which utilize ClF as a reactant, it is sometimes preferred to provide ClF, preferably in situ, by the liquid-phase reaction of HF and Cl ₂ in the presence of catalyst, preferably a transition metal catalyst, and even more preferably a transition metal halide catalysts such as FeC13, TaC15, TiC14, SbC15, SbCB, and CrCB, SbF3, SbF5, A1F3, and CrF3, and combinations of two or more of these. In certain preferred embodiments, therefore, the present halogenation step comprises contacting CH3CH=CH2, HF and C12 in the presence of a metal

catalyst, preferably a metal chloride salt, preferably with addition of kinetic energy to provide a substantially uniform reaction mixture (such as stirring), under conditions effective to form a reaction product comprising the desired compound of formula (III).

In certain preferred embodiments, the reaction is carried out at a temperature of from about -90 ⁰ C to about -50 ⁰ C, more preferably from about -80 ⁰ C to about - 7O ⁰ C, under conditions effective to achieve a percentage conversion of at least about 70%, more preferably at least about 90%, and even more preferably at least about 100% of the compound of formula (IV). Preferably, the reaction conditions are effective to achieve a percentage selectivity to compounds of formula (III), and preferably 2-fuoropropane, of at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 75%, and even more preferably at least about 95%. In certain preferred embodiments a selectivity of about 98% or greater is achieved.

As used herein, the term "percentage conversion" with respect to a reactant refers to the moles reacted in the reaction process divided by the moles of reactant in the feed to the process multiplied by 100.

As used herein, the term "percentage selectivity" with respect to an organic reaction product refers to the ratio of the moles of that reaction product to the total of the remaining organic reaction products multiplied by 100.

In certain preferred embodiments the reaction time for the preferred liquid phase halogenation reaction is from about 1 to about 3 hours. The reaction product in preferred embodiments includes one or more Of CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ Cl, CH ₃ CHCICH ₂ CI, CH ₃ CHCICH ₂ Cl, and/or CH ₃ CHFCH ₃ . In preferred embodiments, the reaction product comprises from about 40 wt. % to about 75 wt.% CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ Cl, from about

5 to about 35 wt. % CH ₃ CHCICH ₂ CI, from about 5 to about 15 wt% CH ₃ CHCICH ₂ Cl, and less than about 5% CH ₃ CHFCH ₃ .

It will be appreciated that many alternatives for the provision of ClF in accordance with this preferred step of the present invention are available and within the scope hereof. By way of example, the reactant ClF may be provided in certain embodiments simply by purchasing the needed quantity of the material in the appropriate form. In other preferred embodiments, it is desirable to provide the ClF by conducting a liquid-phase reaction of HF and Cl ₂ , preferably in the presence of transition metal halide such as SbF ₅ . Such reactions, especially single stage reactions, can be achieved using any equipment and conditions known and available in the art for such types of reactions, preferably at a temperature of from about -50 °C to -90 ⁰ C, and even more preferably the reaction temperature is maintained at a temperature of from about -65°C to about -85°C.

In certain embodiments, a two stage reaction may be used, with the first stage being a gas phase reaction and the second stage being a liquid phase reaction. In such embodiments the ClF produced in this first reaction stage, and/or from other sources, is preferably then charged to a second reaction vessel or to a second region of the same vessel, preferably a second autoclave, where it is contacted with a compound of formula (IV), such as propylene, at a temperature as specified above, preferably at about -75°C, and preferably under conditions capable of providing selectivity to a compound of formula (IIIO, preferably CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ CI, of at least about 60% and up to about 75% or greater.

2. GAS/LIQUID PHASE HALOGEN ADDITION REACTIONS

Although not necessarily preferred, the formation of a compound of formula III may also be carried out at least partially in a gas phase reaction, preferably in the presence of a catalyst. For example, high conversion and selectivity can be achieved in some embodiments by first reacting HF and Cl ₂ in a liquid phase, and preferably in a continuous liquid phase reaction, by charging the reactor with a catalyst, preferably a transition metal halide such as SbF ₅ and conducting the reaction at a temperature of from about -50 ⁰ C to 50°C to produce ClF. In such embodiments it is preferred to introduce the ClF produced in the gas phase, together with a compound of formula (IV), into a liquid phase reactor, generally in accordance with the conditions described above, to produce a compound of formula (III), preferably at a selectivity to CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ CI of at least about 60%, and even more preferably at least about 70%.

3. PREFERRED GAS PHASE HALOGENATIONREACTIONS

For certain preferred embodiments, particularly those preferred embodiments which utilize HF as a reactant, it is preferred to provide a compound of formula (III) by a gas-phase reaction of HF and a compound of formula (IV) in the presence of catalyst, preferably a transition metal catalyst, and even more preferably a transition metal halide catalysts such as FeCl ₃ , TaCl ₅ , TiCl ₄ , SbCl ₅ , SbCl ₃ , and CrCl ₃ , SbF ₃ , SbFs, AlF ₃ , and CrF ₃ , and combinations of two or more of these. In certain preferred embodiments, therefore, the preferred halogenation step comprises contacting CH ₃ CH=CH ₂ , preferably an iron based catalyst, and even more preferable an iron chloride catalyst, and maintaining the reactor temperature at from about 20 ⁰ C to about 100 ⁰ C, more preferably from about 25 ⁰ C to about 35 ⁰ C, with a preferred reactor pressure of from about 15 to about 200 psia, and even more preferably from about 20 to about 100 psia. In such preferred embodiments HF is preferably charged to the

reactor, preferably as a liquid (for example by maintiaing the vessel containing the HF under pressure, such as 45 psig of N ₂ head space pressure) and the compound of formula (IV) is charged to the reactor, preferably as a gas. In such embodiments the conversion of the formula (IV) compound, particularly propylene, is preferably at least about 40%, more preferably at least about 80%, and selectivity to compounds of formula (III), particularly 2-fluoropropane, is preferably at least about 40%, more preferably at least about 60%, more preferably at least about 80%, and in certain embodiments at least about 90%. In certain preferred embodiments selectivity of about 95% is preferred. Examples of other catalysts that may be used in this aspect of the invention include carbon, carbon nanotubes, SbCl ₅ IC, SbF ₅ /C, FeCI ₃ , CrF ₃ , Cr- oxyfluoride, and Cr ₂ 03.

B. CHLORINATION OF THE COMPOUND OF FORMULA III

According to preferred aspects of this invention, a compound of formula (III), preferably but not necessarily produced in accordance with the procedures described above, is chlorinated to produce a compound of formula (I), namely, CX ₃ CXYCH ₃ where each X is independently Cl, I or Br, and each Y is independently H or F. In its broad aspects, the preferred chlorination step is amenable to a large number of specific processing condition and steps in accordance with the teachings contained herein, and all such variations are within the broad scope of the present invention. It is particularly preferred, however, that the chlorination step comprise photochlorination. Thus, the preferred reaction step comprises exposing the reactants, preferably in a liquid phase, to ultraviolet radiation, preferably in the range of from about 200 to about 400nm. The chlorination agent preferably comprises chlorine gas, either neat or preferably with a diluent such as nitrogen. A chorination catalyst, such as V ₂ Os,

Zeolites, and AuATiO ₂ catalyst, may be used in certain embodiments. The reaction is preferably carried out a temperature of from about -2O ⁰ C to about 200 ⁰ C, and even more preferably from about 25°C to about 120 ⁰ C for a time of from about 5 seconds to about 5 hours, more preferably from about 15 seconds to about 30 min. The reaction product, which comprises a compound of formula (I), may then optionally be subject to one or more separation steps, such as distillation, to remove unwanted byproducts and produce a stream relatively concentrated in compounds of the formula

(I)-

C. FORMATION OFTHE COMPOUND OFFORMULAII

The methods of the present invention preferably comprise reacting a compound of formula (I) with a fluorinating agent to produce a fluorolefin, prefereably a C3 fluorolefin, more preferably a compound of formula (II), and even more preferably tetrafluoropropene. This preferred reaction step may be described, by way of illustration but not necessarily by way of limitation, by the following reaction equation in connection with embodiments in which the compound of formula (I) is tetrafluormonochloropropane and the fluorinating agent is hydrogen fluoride: CCI ₃ CFClCH ₃ + 3HF → CF ₃ CF=CH ₂ + HCl

This aspect of the present invention is sometimes referred to herein as a fluorination reaction. In many aspect of such preferred embodiments, CF ₃ CCl=CH ₂ (HFO-1233xf) is also produced in the reaction.

It is contemplated that this reaction step may be preformed using a wide variety of process parameters and process conditions in view of the overall teachings contained herein. For example, it is contemplated that certain embodiments may

comprise a liquid phase, non-catalytic reaction. However, it is generally preferred that this reaction step comprise a gas phase catalyzed reaction, preferably a metal catalyst, and even more preferably one or more transition metal-based catalysts (including in certain preferred embodiments transition metal halide catalysts), such as FeCl ₃ , chroniiumoxyfluoride, Ni (including Ni mesh), NiCl ₂ , CrF ₃ . Other catalysts include carbon-based catalysts, antimony-based catalysts (such as Sb/Cls), aluminum-based catalyst (such as AlF ₃ and AlO ₃ ). Many other catalysts may be used, including palladium-based catalyst, platinum-based catalysts, Rhodium-based catalysts and ruthenium-based catalysts. Of course, two or more any of these catalysts, or other catalysts not named here, may be used in combination.

In general it is preferred that the catalysts are pretreated by fluorination prior to use. In preferred embodiments, fluorination of the catalysts comprises exposing the catalyst to a stream of HF at about reaction temperature and pressure.

In certain preferred embodiments, the present step of fluorinating a compound of formula I to produce a compound of formula II comprises contacting a the formula I compound with a fluorinating agent, preferably under conditions effective to provide a formula I conversion of at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 55%, and even more preferably at least about 70%. In certain preferred embodiments the conversion is at least about 90%, and more preferably about 100%. Furthermore, in certain preferred embodiments, the present step of fluorinating a compound of formula I to produce a compound of formula II is conducted under conditions effective to provide a formula II selectivity of at least about 5%, more preferably at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 50%, and even more preferably at least about 90%. In embodiments in which the compound of formula I comprises CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ (HCFC-241bb), the selectivity to HFO-1234yf is at least about 5%,

more preferably at least about 10%, more preferably at least about 50% or higher, and the selectivity to HFO-1233xf is at least about 5%, more preferably from about 30% to about 70%, and even more preferably from about 40% to about 60%.

EXAMPLES

Additional features of the present invention are provided in the following examples, which should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Examples 1 - 24:

These examples illustrate gas phase fluorination-dehydrohalogenation of CCI ₃ CFClCH ₃ (241bb) to CF ₃ CCl=CH ₂ (12334) and CF ₃ CF=CH ₂ (1234yf). A 22-inch (1 /2-inch diameter) Monel tube reactor is charged with 120 cc of catalyst, as specified in Table I below. All catalysts are fluorinated for 6 h with 80 glh of HF at reaction temperature under 20 psig pressure. The reactor is mounted inside a heater with three zones (top, middle and bottom). The reactor temperature is monitored using a 5-point thermocouples kept at the middle inside of the reactor. The inlet of the reactor is connected to a pre-heater, which is kept at about 300 ⁰ C by electrical heating. Liquid HF is fed from a cylinder into the pre-heater through a needle valve, liquid mass-flow meter, and a control valve at a constant flow of 1-1000 g/h. The HF cylinder is kept at a constant pressure of about 40 psig by applying anhydrous N ₂ gas pressure into the cylinder head space. 10-120 g/h of organic compound of formula I (HCFC-241bb) is fed from a cylinder kept at about 145 ⁰ C through a regulator, needle valve, and a gas mass-flow-meter. The compound of formula I is also fed time to time as liquid at 120 ⁰ C from a cylinder into the pre-heater through a needle valve, liquid mass-flow meter, and a control valve at a constant flow of 50-150 g/h. The organic line from the cylinder to the pre-heater is kept at 265 ⁰ C by wrapping with constant

temperature heat trace and electrical heating. All feed cylinders are mounted on scales to monitor their weight by difference. The reactions are run at a constant reactor pressure of about 0-100 psig by controlling the flow of reactor exit gases by another control valve. The gases exiting the reactor are analyzed by on-line GC and GC/MS connected through a hotbox valve arrangement to prevent condensation. The product was collected by flowing the reactor exit gases through a 20-60 wt% aq. KOH scrubber solution and then trapping the exit gases from the scrubber into a cylinder kept in dry ice or liquid N ₂ . The products were then isolated by distillation. The results are shown in Table I below. Table 1: CCl ₃ CFCICH ₃ + 3HF → CF ₃ CF=CH ₂ + HCl

In addition to the products identified in the table, other compounds produced in the reaction are 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (143a), 3-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane(244cc), 3,3-dichloro-2,2,3-trifluoropropane(243cc), I-propene-1 , 1 -dichloro-2-fluoro, 2,3,3- trichloro-2-fluoroρropane(251bb), l-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-l-propene (1233zd), 3,3,3- trifluoro-1-propene (1243zf),l,l-dichloro-2-fluoro-l-propene,2,3,3-trichloro-2- fluoropropane, dichlorodifluoropropene, and carbon black.

Example 25

This example illustrates addition of F ₂ to in a liquid phase reaction, which is illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

CH ₃ CH Cl ₂ + F ₂ → CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ F

About 1 - 100 wt% F ₂ in nitrogen is bubbled through 125 g of liquid propylene in a stirred Hastrelloy C reactor at about -5O ⁰ C to -75 ⁰ C for about 1 hour in the presence of HF as the solvent. A 1 gallon Parr reactor is first charged with a relatively inert

solvent, HP, to help with heat transfer and dilution of the organic. Then 125 grams of propylene are added batch wise to the reactor. The reaction mixture is continuously mixed and cooled to the desired temperature. Then the F ₂ feed (1 wt%), diluted with N2 (99 wt%), is introduced continuously directly into the reaction mixture through a dip tube until about 90% of the stoiciometric amount needed to convert all the propylene that is added. The reactor temperature and pressure are controlled automatically at the desired set points of between -50 to -75°C and a constant pressure of 40 psig. The temperatures are chosen to minimize the amount of propylene that would exit the reactor with the N ₂ diluent. The gases exiting the reactor are passed through a caustic scrubber carboy and an activated alumina column to remove acidity, then a dri-rite column to remove moisture, and finally the organic is collected in a DIT. When the desired amount of F ₂ is added the reaction liquid is sampled. The sample is absorbed in H ₂ O and the organic is recovered by phase separation. The organic is then analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The remaining material in the reactor is boiled off through the scrubbing system and the organic is collected in the DIT and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The analyses are used to determine that the reaction has an overall selectivity to CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ F of about 36-45%. Example 26

This example illustrates addition of F ₂ to CH ₃ CH=CH ₂ in a gas phase reaction, which is illustrated by the following reaction scheme: CH ₃ CH Cl ₂ + F ₂ → CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ F

The same apparatus as described in Example 25 is used, except that gaseous propylene and 1% F2 (99% dilution w/ N2) are fed into the Parr reactor via a common dip tube. Propylene is fed at a 50% stoichiometric excess. The reactor is kept at 70 ⁰ C and at atmospheric pressure. The reactor effluent is passed through a DlT, which

collected most of the organic. Only a couple of grams of vapor are left in the Parr reactor at the end of the experiment. GC analysis of the material indicated about 10% conversion of the propylene. The selectivity to CH ₃ CHFCH ₂ F is about 32% based on GC area%. Example 27

This example illustrates addition of F2 to CH3CH=CH2 in a gas phase reaction under the same conditions as Example 26, except the reaction is performed at higher temperature of about 0 to -20 ⁰ C. A yield of about 10% CF ₃ CHFCH ₂ F is obtained, which is then transformed to HFO- 1234yf with 100% selectivity in the next step by reacting with 20%KOH solution in the presence of 18-crown ether as the phase-transfer catalyst at about 55 ⁰ C using a 300 ml autoclave. Example 28

This example illustrates addition of fluorine to CH ₃ CH=CH ₂ in a gas phase reaction, which is illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

CH ₃ CH Cl ₂ + HF → CH ₃ CHFCH ₃

In a gas-phase reaction a Monel tube reactor was charged with 1909 cc of 4-6-wt% FeCl ₃ /C (NORIT-RFC 3, commercial catalyst from NORIT NEDERLAND B.V.). The reactor was mounted in a constant temperature sand-bath with 40-50 ml/min of air flowing through the sand-bath. The sand-bath set point was set at 28°C during the reaction. The inlet of the reactor was connected to a pre-heater which was kept at 106 ⁰ C by supplying 30 psig steam through the jacket. The liquid-HF was fed from a cylinder into the pre-heater through a positive displacement pump and kept at a constant flow of 15.88 mol/h (318 g/h) by controlling the flow with a research control valve. The HF cylinder was kept at a constant pressure of 30-40 psig by applying anhydrous N ₂ gas pressure into the cylinder head space. A 5.4 mol/h (227 g/h) of propylene is fed as a gas from a cylinder through a regulator, needle valve, and flow controller directly into the reactor inlet at a point just after the pre-heater.

HF and Propylene cylinders were mounted on two different scales to monitor their weight by difference. The reactions were run at a constant reactor pressure of 25 psig by controlling the flow of reactor exit gases by another research control valve. The mole ratio of HF to Propylene was kept at 2.94 with a contact time of 33 sec. The exit gases coming out of the reactor were analyzed by an on-line GC and GCMS connected through a hotbox valve arrangements to prevent condensation. The conversion of Propylene was almost 100% and the selectivity to 2-Fluoropropane was 98%. The reaction was performed continuously over 4 days period and the catalyst did not loose any activity. The product was collected by flowing the reactor exit gases through a 20-60 wt% aq. KOH scrubber solution and then trapping them in a cylinder kept inside dry ice or liquid N ₂ .

Examples 29 - 42

This example illustrates the chlorination of 2-fluoropropane (CH ₃ CHFCH3) to CC13CFC1CH3 (241bb) in a gas phase reaction, which is illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

CH ₃ CHFCH ₃ +4C1 ₂ - _$m CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ + 4HCl

A 500 ml Pyrex reactor was placed inside a Rayonet photo chlorinator at room temperature (25°C). The reactor used in this study was a RAYONETModel-RPR-100 with standard operating temperature of 35 ⁰ C and standard power consumption around 400 watts. The inside of the photo chlorinator was equipped with 16 UV-lamps; the number of lamps could be varied easily. The 2-Fluoropropane was fed into the reactor from a cylinder kept at a constant water bath temperature of 35°C through a regulator and mass-flowcontroller. Chlorine gas was fed from a cylinder through a regulator, needle valve, and a massfiow-controller into the reactor. N ₂ was used as the diluents, though the reaction proceeds well without it from a cylinder, which was fed from a cylinder through regulator and mass-flowcontroller. A fan at the bottom of the photo chlorinator was kept on with a constant flow of N ₂ to helped keeping the reactor at a constant temperature. This was because of fast dissipation of heat of reaction to avoid run-away reaction. The products that were high boiling liquids stayed inside the

reactor collection section, collected and analyzed after the stipulated reaction time. The exit gases out of the reactor was analyzed by on-line GC which contains mainly unreacted 2-fluoropropane, N2 and mono-chlorinated products. The liquid products thus obtained was then washed with water to remove HCl and soluble Chlorine and then purified by distillation under vacuum. The experimental mp of 241bb is 98- 101 ⁰ C and boiling is 139 ⁰ C. The purity was around 95-100%. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

Table 2 - Photo chlorination of 2-Fluoropopane (R281ea) to CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ (241bb)

FP is 2-Fluoropropane; seem is standard cubic centimeter per minute; total volume of the reactor in contact with the light is 450 ml (Pyrex); Conversion is the ratio of moles of FP converted to products to total moles of FP fed; Selectivity to CCI ₃ CFCICH ₃ is the ratio of moles of FP converted to CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ to total moles of FP reacted; Overall selectivity is the ratio of moles of FP converted to CH ₃ CFCICH ₃ , CICH ₂ CFCICHi, CI ₂ CHCFCICHS, and CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ to total moles of FP reacted. There are total 16 lamps. The reactor is a BAYONET-Model-RPR-100, standard operating temperature 35°C and standard power consumption 400 watts.

Examples 43 - 72

This example illustrates the photochlorination of 2-fluoropropane (CH ₃ CHFCH ₃ ) to CCl ₃ CFClCH ₃ (241bb) in a gas phase reaction as described in

Examples 29 - 42, except 4 parameters are varied, including flow rates of Cl ₂ and 2- Fluoropropane, time of irradiation, and number of lamps at room temperature. The results are reported in Table 3 below:

Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements, as are made obvious by this disclosure, are intended to be part of this description though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents thereto.