Process for making hexafluoropropane and perfluoropropane
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsYuri Cheburkov, John C. Hansen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Perfluoroisobutene-MeOH adduct (2H-octafluororisobutyl methyl ether) is converted to hexafluoropropane by reaction with trialkyl amine (eg. triethyl amine) and H.sub.2 O. 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropene is also produced in lesser amounts. The electrolysis of the reaction product in anhydrous HF (at 10.degree.-50.degree. C., 0-140 kPa, and 50-300 amps/m.sup.2 anode area) yields C.sub.3 F.sub.8 and some CF.sub.3 CFHCF.sub.3 which is condensed out of a gas stream from the electrolysis cell.
Claims12
A process for making hexafluoropropane consisting essentially of reacting in a single step an ether compound selected from the group consisting of 2H-octafluoroisobutyl alkyl ethers with a trialklyl amine and water to yield hexafluoropropane, provided that in said process the ether compound, trialkyl amine and water are mixed together in a single vessel.
A process for making perfluoropropane comprising:
- A. making a current-conducting liquid mixture of hexafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride in an electrolysis cell containing an anode;
- and
- B. electrolyzing said liquid mixture under the following conditions:
- pressure in the range of about atmospheric pressure to 250 kPa;
- temperature to maintain a boiling liquid phase in the cell;
- average current density of about 50 to 300 amps per square meter of anode surface area;
- and a voltage insufficient to generate free fluorine but which is causes fluorination of the hexafluoropropane and 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropene to perfluoropropane.
A process for making hexafluoropropane consisting essentially of reacting in a single step an ether compound selected from the group consisting of 2H-octafluoroisobutyl alkyl ethers, heptafluoroisobutenylalkyl ethers and mixtures thereof with a trialklyl amine and water to yield hexafluoropropane, provided that the ether compound, the trialkyl amine and the water are mixed together in a single vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.