Hydrogenation of fluorinated esters

US4072726A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Allied Chemical Corporation · US

Inventors

• Henry R. Nychka · East Aurora, US
• Richard E. Eibeck · Orchard Park, US
• Martin A. Robinson · East Amherst, US
• Edward S. Jones · East Rochester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 1977
• Grant date: Feb 7, 1978
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/149
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Fluorinated esters of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.x F.sub.2n+1-x CO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 C.sub.m H.sub.y F.sub.2m+1-y such as CF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CF.sub.3 are hydrogenated to fluorinated alcohols such as CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 OH using a catalyst having between 50 and 100 percent, and preferably 75-95 percent CuO by weight. In the above formula n= 1 to 13, m= 1 to 13, x= 0 to 3 and y= 0 to 3. In the most preferred esters, n= m and x= y= 0. The catalyst may also contain 0-50 percent and preferably 5-25 percent by weight of a filler or binder such as a silicate salt. The reaction produces greater yields of alcohol and longer catalyst life than with chromite catalysts, and may proceed at substantially atmospheric pressures.