Azeotrope and azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (hfc-143) and 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (hcfc-142b) and applications thereof

A method for producing 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) comprising:

• hydrogenating 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113) with hydrogen (H2) to form a product mixture, the product mixture comprising an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b) and 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143);
• and
• separating the 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b) and the 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) to provide a product composition comprising the 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143).