Methods for removal of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC)

A method for removing sulfur dioxide (SO2) from trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC), comprising the steps of:

• conveying a feed stream to a distillation column, the feed stream comprising trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC), and sulfur dioxide (SO2);
• forming an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2);
• collecting the distillate from the distillation column, the distillate comprising the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition;
• collecting a bottoms product from the distillation column;
• contacting the bottoms product from the distillation column with a solid adsorbent;
• and
• collecting a product stream consisting essentially of trifluoroacetyl chloride (TFAC).