Ionic liquid-catalyzed selective production of hydrofluoroether: Synthesis of a third generation CFC alternative, CF3CH2OCHFCF2CF3

Abstract

A hydrofluoroether, one of the third generation chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) alternatives, CF3CH2OCF2CHFCF3 was obtained in high yield and selectivity from the hydroalkoxylation reaction of hexafluoropropylene and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol conducted in the presence of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid catalyst such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bicarbonate, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium carbonate. By using these ionic liquids, the formation of difficult-to-remove unsaturated side products was effectively suppressed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.