Fluorination of acrylate esters and derivatives

A continuous process for fluorinating a double bond to form a compound of formula 2 comprising:

• forming a reaction stream comprising a compound of formula 1 dissolved in 2H,3H-decafluoropentane,
• wherein R1 is alkoxy;
• the reaction stream flowing through a continuous fluorination reactor at a flow rate of from about 0.2 mL/minute to about 2 mL/minute and fluorine gas flows through the continuous fluorination reactor at a gas flow rate of from about 0.2 mmol/minute to about 2 mmol/minute;
• whereby reaction of the compound of formula 1 with the fluorine gas forms a compound of formula 2
• wherein R2 is alkoxy, and
• further reacting the compound of formula 2 with an alcohol and a catalyst, wherein the reaction is a transesterification.