METHOD FOR PRODUCING trans-1,2-DIFLUOROETHYLENE (HFO-1132E)

Abstract

Production of HFO-1132 and, in particular, HFO-1132E, is produced from chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and/or trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123). In a first step, 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) is produced by hydrogenating chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and/or trifluoroethylene (HFO-1123) by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of between about 75° C. and about 225° C. The 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-143) may then be dehydrohalogenated in the presence of a catalyst to produce trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132E) and cis-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132Z). The cis-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132Z) may then be isomerized to produce trans-1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132E).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.