Patent ID: 7732647
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for obtaining purified fluoromethyl 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl ether (sevoflurane) from crude sevoflurane that comprises sevoflurane and more than 200 ppm 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), the process comprising: a) combining the crude sevoflurane with water in an amount sufficient to produce a multiphase mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a sevoflurane phase; b) contacting the aqueous phase and the sevoflurane phase with each other under conditions and for a period of time sufficient to extract at least a portion of the HFIP from the sevoflurane phase into the aqueous phase; c) separating the phases of the multiphase mixture without fractional distillation; d) if necessary, repeating steps a) through c) until the level of HFIP in the sevoflurane phase is reduced to no more than 200 ppm; and e) isolating purified sevoflurane comprising no more than 200 ppm of HFIP; wherein the HFIP is removed from the crude sevoflurane without contacting the crude sevoflurane with an aqueous basic solution.