Catalytic isomerization between E and Z isomers of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene

Abstract

A process is disclosed to increase the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene. The process involves contacting a starting material comprising 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene with a catalyst on AlF3 or carbon, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of SbClwF5-w, TiClxF4-x, SnClyF4-y and TaCl2F5-z wherein w is from 0 to 4, x is from 0 to 3, y is from 0 to 3, z is from 0 to 4, to obtain a product wherein the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene is increased relative to the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene in the starting material. A process is also disclosed to decrease the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene. The process involves contacting a starting material comprising 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene with a catalyst on AlF3 or carbon, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of SbClwF5-w, TiClxF4-x, SnClyF4-y and TaClzF5-z wherein w is from 0 to 4, x is from 0 to 3, y is from 0 to 3, z is from 0 to 4, to obtain a product wherein the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene is decreased relative to the Z/E ratio of 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene in the starting material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.