Patent ID: 6417413
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of pentafluoroethane (R125), chlorotetrafluoroethane (R124), and optionally dichlorotrifluoroethane (R123) comprising:(a) reacting perchloroethylene (PCE) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) over a fluorination catalyst to produce a reactor product stream comprising hydrogen chloride (HCl), HF, R125, R124 and R123; (b) separating said reactor product stream into an HCl-rich stream and an intermediate product stream; (c) separating said intermediate product stream into at least a first crude product stream and a recycle stream under conditions effective to ensure that the aggregate amount of HF contained in said crude product stream(s) is less than the aggregate azeotropic amount of HF; and (d) optionally recycling at least a portion of the recycle stream to the reaction of step (a).