Continuous process to produce hexafluoroisopropanol

Abstract

A continuous process for producing hexafluoroisopropanol is provided which comprises contacting hexafluoroacetone with hexafluoroisopropanol and hydrogen to produce a liquid feed stream; introducing the liquid feed stream to a reactor containing an immobilized hydrogenation catalyst to convert the hexafluoroacetone to hexafluoroisopropanol and provide a product stream; and recovering at least a portion of the hexafluoroisopropanol from the product stream. Preferably a portion of the product stream is recycled. The reactor can be a packed bed or stirred tank reactor.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] Hexafluoroisopropanol (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, abbreviated herein as HFIP) is used as an intermediate in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, as a solvent or in electronic devices Detergent, and used in analytical applications due to its ability to dissolve a wide variety of polymers. HFIP exhibits strong hydrogen bonding and will bind and dissolve most molecules with accepting sites such as oxygen, double bonds, or amine groups. Forms stable distillable complexes with many ethers or amines due to strong hydrogen bonds. HFIP is soluble in water and most organic solvents. It is a volatile (boiling point 58.2° C.) and polar substance with high density, low viscosity and low surface tension. HFIP is transparent to ultraviolet light and has a low refractive index.

[0002] Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) is typically produced by hydrogenation of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and / or HFA hydrate, for example using a batch reactor containing a s...

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