Process for preparation of ketones

US5481029A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SOLVAY FLUOR und DERIVATE GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Max Braun · Großburgwedel, DE
• Johannes Eicher · Garbsen, DE
• Werner Rudolph · Hannover, DE
• Kerstin Eichholz · Langenhagen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 26, 1994
• Grant date: Jan 2, 1996
• Expiry date: Apr 26, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/10
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing ketones, for example CF.sub.3 C(O)CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3 C(O)CH.sub.2 C(O)CF.sub.3 and CF.sub.3 C(O)CF.sub.2 H, in which .beta.-ketoesters are transesterified and decarboxylated using a carboxylic acid, for example trifluoroacetic acid, in the presence of a catalyst, particularly an "onium" salt of a carboxylic acid or an effective amount of a proton-donating acid, preferably a sulfonic acid such as alkyl- or arylsulfonic acids, or a mineral acid. The process is advantageously carried out in the absence of water, so that no formation of acetals or hydrates occurs, and no dehydrating step is needed. The process is simple to carry out, and if transesterification is carried out with a sufficiently active carboxylic acid, for example with trifluoroacetic acid, the presence of an additional catalyst is unnecessary.