AZEOTROPIC OR AZEOTROPIC-LIKE COMPOSITIONS OF TRIFLUORIODOMETHANE (CF3I) AND HEXAFLUOROACETONE (HFA)

Abstract

The present description provides azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions comprising trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and hexafluoroacetone (HFA), and a method for forming an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising the step of combining hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) having a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia.

Description

AZEOTROPIC OR AZEOTROPIC-LIKE COMPOSITIONS OF TRIFLUORIODOMETHANE (CF3I) AND HEXAFLUOROACETONE (HFA) Field of Invention The present description relates to azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions and, in particular, to azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and hexafluoroacetone (HFA). Background of the Invention Fluorocarbon-based fluids have found widespread use in industry in various applications, including refrigerants, aerosol propellants, pneumatic agents, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, and fire extinguishing. However, certain compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are suspected of depleting atmospheric ozone and are therefore harmful to the environment. Furthermore, some of these compounds are believed to contribute to global warming. Consequently, fluorocarbon fluids with low or even zero ozone depletion potential, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), or those with a photolyzable iodine-carbon bond that have a short atmospheric lifetime when released, are preferred. Ref. 317443 ground level. Also, the use of single-component azeotropic fluids or mixtures that do not fractionate on boiling and evaporation is preferred. Unfortunately, identifying new non-fractionating and environmentally safe mixtures is complicated because azeotrope formation is not easily predictable. The industry is continuously searching for new fluorocarbon-based mixtures that offer alternatives and are considered safer for the environment than the CFGs, HCFCs, and HFCs currently in use. Compounds containing iodide and other fluorinated compounds, which have low ozone depletion potentials and low global warming potentials, are of particular interest. Such mixtures are the subject of this description. Although iodide-containing compounds are of great potential interest, the purification of iodide-containing compounds such as trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) presents challenges, and techniques for removing impurities from trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), such as trifluoromethane (HFC-23), are in constant demand. Therefore, separation techniques such as azeotropic distillation, for example, would be highly desirable. What is needed are compositions and techniques that can be used to prepare iodide-containing compounds, such as high-purity trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Summary of the Invention This description provides azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and hexafluoroacetone (HFA). It is well known in the art that it is not possible to predict the formation of azeotropes, and the inventors of the present invention have unexpectedly discovered that trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and hexafluoroacetone (HFA) form azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions. The present description provides a composition comprising an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprising, essentially consisting of, or consisting of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprises, essentially consists of, or comprises, approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), or approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). In other words, the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition may comprise from approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), from approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), from approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition may consist essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) in the above amounts, or may consist of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) in the above amounts. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. In another form of this, the present description ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi provides an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) having a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. In another form thereof, the present description provides a method for forming an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising the step of combining hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, essentially consisting of, or consisting of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition may have a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. Still in a further form thereof, the present description provides a method for separating hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) from a primary composition comprising hexafluoroacetone (HFA), trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and at least one impurity, which includes the steps of: forming, within the primary composition, a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, essentially consisting of, or effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3-I), wherein the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition may have a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia; and separate the secondary composition from the primary composition and at least one impurity. In the above method, the formation step may comprise forming, within the primary composition, a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, essentially consisting of, or consisting of approximately 10 wt% to approximately 80 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 20 wt% to approximately 90 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) that may have a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a graph of temperature compared to the weight percent of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) measured according to Example 1. Detailed Description of the Invention Hexafluoroacetone (HFA) has been found to form homogeneous minimum-boiling azeotrope and azeotrope-like compositions or mixtures with trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and the present description provides homogeneous azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions comprising hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may consist essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or the azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may consist of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The present inventors have experimentally discovered that hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) form an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. An azeotropic composition is a unique combination of two or more components. An azeotropic composition can be characterized in several ways. For example, at a given pressure, an azeotropic composition boils at a constant characteristic temperature that is either higher than the upper-boiling component (maximum-boiling azeotrope) or lower than the lower-boiling component (minimum-boiling azeotrope). At this characteristic temperature, the same composition will exist in both the vapor and liquid phases. The azeotropic composition does not fractionate upon boiling or evaporation. Therefore, the components of the azeotropic composition cannot be separated during a phase change. An azeotropic composition is also characterized in that at the characteristic azeotropic temperature, the pressure ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi at the bubble point of the liquid phase is identical to the pressure at the dew point of the vapor phase. The behavior of an azeotropic composition contrasts with a composition that is azeotropic in that, during boiling or evaporation, the liquid composition changes to a substantial extent. For the purposes of this description, an azeotropic composition is characterized as that composition which boils at a constant characteristic temperature, the temperature being lower (a minimum boiling azeotrope) than the boiling points of the two or more components and thus having the same composition in both the vapor and liquid phases. A person experienced in the technique would understand, however, that at different pressures, both the composition and boiling point of the azeotropic composition will vary to some extent. Therefore, depending on the temperature and / or pressure, an azeotropic composition can have a variable composition. Thus, the expert will understand that ranges of compositions, rather than fixed compositions, can be used to define azeotropic compositions. Additionally, an azeotrope can be defined in terms of exact weight percentages of each component of compositions characterized by a fixed boiling point at a specific pressure. i ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi An azeotrope-like composition is a composition of two or more components that behaves substantially like an azeotrope composition. Therefore, for the purposes of this description, an azeotrope-like composition is a combination of two or more different components that, when in liquid form under a given pressure, will boil at a practically constant temperature and will provide a vapor composition substantially identical to the liquid composition that undergoes boiling. For the purposes of this description, an azeotrope-like composition is a composition or range of compositions that boils at a temperature range of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. Azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions can be identified using several different methods. For the purposes of this description, the composition of an azeotrope or azeotrope-like substance is identified experimentally using an ebulliometer (Malas, Phase Equilibria in Chemical Engineering, Butterworth-Heinemann, 1985, 533-544). An ebulliometer is designed to provide extremely accurate measurements of the boiling points of liquids by measuring the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature. The boiling points of each of the components i ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi alone are measured at constant pressure. As the expert will appreciate, for a binary azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, the boiling point of one of the components is initially measured. Then, the second component is added in varying amounts, and the boiling point of each of the resulting compositions is measured using the ebulliometer at constant pressure. The measured boiling points are plotted against the composition of the tested mixture; for example, for a binary azeotrope, the amount of the second component added to the mixture (expressed as wt.% or mole%. The presence of an azeotropic composition can be identified by observing a maximum or minimum boiling point that is higher or lower than the boiling points of either component alone. As the expert will appreciate, the identification of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition is performed by comparing the change in boiling point of the composition upon adding the second component to the first, with respect to the boiling point of the first component alone. Therefore, it is not necessary to calibrate the system to the reported boiling point of the particular components to measure the change in boiling point. As mentioned previously, at the maximum or minimum boiling point i ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi, the vapor phase composition will be identical to the liquid phase composition. Therefore, an azeotropic-like composition is one composition of components that provides a substantially constant minimum or maximum boiling point, i.e., a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia, at which substantially constant boiling point the vapor phase composition will be substantially identical to the liquid phase composition. This description provides an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition. As used herein, the term effective amount is an amount of each component that, when combined with the other component, produces an azeotropic or azeotropic-like mixture. The present azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions may consist essentially of combinations of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or consist of combinations of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). As used herein, the term "essentially consisting of," with respect to the components of ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi, an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition or mixture, means that the composition contains the stated components in an azeotropic or azeotropic-like ratio and may contain additional components, provided that the additional components do not form new azeotropic or azeotropic-like systems. For example, azeotropic-like mixtures consisting essentially of two compounds are those that form binary azeotropes, which may optionally include one or more additional components, provided that the additional components do not render the mixture non-azeotropic and do not form an azeotrope with one or both of the compounds (e.g., do not form a ternary or higher azeotrope). This description further provides a method for forming an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition by mixing, combining, or bonding effective quantities of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Any of a wide variety of methods known in the art for combining two or more components to form a composition may be used. For example, hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) may be mixed, bonded, or otherwise combined by hand and / or machine, as part of a continuous batch or process and / or reaction, or by combinations of two or more of such steps. Both hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) are commercially available and can be purchased from several different suppliers. The components may be supplied in the required quantities, for example, by weighing and then combining the quantities. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprises, essentially consists of, or consists of, approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), or approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA), and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). In other words, the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition may comprise from approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), from approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), from approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition may consist essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) in the above amounts, or may consist of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) in the above amounts. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of the present invention has a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. Alternatively, the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of, as little as approximately 28 wt%, approximately 45 wt% or approximately 59 wt%, or as much as approximately 60 wt%, approximately 70 wt% or approximately 75 wt% of hexafluoroacetone (HFA), or within any defined range between any two of the above values, and the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of, as little as approximately 25 wt%, approximately 30 wt% or approximately 40 wt%, or as much as approximately 41 wt%, approximately 55 wt% or approximately 72 wt% of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), or within any defined range between any two of the above values.In one embodiment, the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprises, essentially consists of, or comprises approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of the present invention has a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. This description also provides a composition comprising an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition. For example, a composition is provided comprising at least approximately 5% by weight of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, or at least approximately 15% by weight of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, or at least approximately 50% by weight of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, or at least approximately 70% by weight of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, or at least approximately 90% by weight of an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition. ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi The azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, essentially, or effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) described herein may be used to separate impurities from hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and / or trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). One impurity that may be present in trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) is trifluoromethane (HFC-23). The preparation of azeotropic or azeotropic-like compositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) enables separation techniques such as azeotropic distillation to be used to remove impurities from the trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to provide high-purity trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). In one example, an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, essentially consisting of, or consisting of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) can be formed from a composition including one or both of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) together with one or more other chemical compounds other than hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), such as impurities. After the formation of the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition, the azeotropic or azeotropic composition can be separated from the other chemical compounds by a suitable method, such as distillation, phase separation, or fractionation. Thus, the present description provides a method for separating hexafluoroacetone (HFA) as an impurity from a primary crude trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) composition that includes hexafluoroacetone (HFA) as an impurity together with at least one additional impurity, including steps for providing a primary composition of crude trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), hexafluoroacetone (HFA) as an impurity, and at least one additional impurity, and subjecting the primary composition to distillation, for example, under effective conditions to form a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and separating the secondary composition from the primary composition by a separation technique, such as, for example, phase separation, distillation, or fractionation.After that, the primary composition can be subjected to additional separation or purification stages to obtain purified trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The following non-limiting examples serve to illustrate the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1 - Ebulliometer Study An ebulliometer was used to measure the azeotropic and azeotropic composition of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). The ebulliometer consisted of a vacuum-jacketed glass vessel sealed at the bottom and open to the atmosphere at the top. The upper part, or condenser jacket, of the ebulliometer was filled with a mixture of dry ice and ethanol to reach a temperature of approximately -72 °C, which is significantly lower than the normal boiling points of -27.76 °C for hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and -22.29 °C for trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) at a pressure of 14.40 psia. This ensured that all vapors in the system condensed and flowed back into the ebulliometer, resulting in equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases. A platinum quartz thermometer with an accuracy of ±0 °C was inserted.The temperature was 0.02 °C inside the glass container and used to determine the temperature of the condensed vapor corresponding to the equilibrium boiling point of the mixture. Boiling chips were used to help maintain a gentle boil of the mixture in the ebulliometer. The following procedure was used. 1. The quartz thermometer was immersed in a long Dewar flask containing an ice / water suspension and it was verified that the thermometer read 0 °C. The Dewar was deep enough so that at least h of the length of the thermometer shaft was submerged in ice / water. The resistance of the thermometer was recorded in ohms. 2. The condenser jacket was charged to 1 M with ethanol. The condenser jacket was cooled by slowly introducing dry ice to prevent superboiling and / or splashing of the ethanol. 3. A known quantity of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) or hexafluoroacetone was added to the ebulliometer and vigorously refluxed. The temperature and atmospheric pressure were recorded using a barometer with a temperature indicator. The measurement was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, approximately 16.30 g of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) with a purity of 99% (Synquest lot 418700), as determined by gas chromatography (GC), was introduced into the ebulliometer. The container was weighed before and after the addition using a balance with an accuracy of ±0.01 g. The liquid was brought to a boil, and the equilibrium temperature of the hexafluoroacetone (HFA) was recorded at the measured barometric pressure. Then, trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), with a purity of 99.99% (Synquest lot 418700), as determined by gas chromatography (GC), was introduced in small increments into the ebulliometer, and the equilibrium temperature of the condensed liquid mixture was recorded. In a second step, approximately 22.76 g of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) with a purity of 99.99% a / m², as determined by gas chromatography (GC), were introduced into the ebulliometer by weighing the container before and after the addition using a balance with an accuracy of ±0.01 g. The liquid was brought to a boil, and the equilibrium temperature of the trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) was recorded at the recorded barometric pressure. Subsequently, hexafluoroacetone (HFA) with a purity of 99% a / m² (Synquest lot 418700), as determined by gas chromatography (GC), was introduced in small increments into the ebulliometer, and the equilibrium temperature of the condensed liquid mixture was recorded. The previous data from the first and second stages were combined to complete the composition range data from 0 to 100 wt percent for each of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), which are presented below in Table 1. This table shows a temperature minimum indicating that an azeotrope formed. These data are also presented graphically in Figure 1. The bubble point temperature of the mixture remained constant, indicating that the mixture was azeotropic over a large composition range. ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi Table 1: CFsl / hexafluoroacetone ai cebo / Lznz / E / YiAi ebullometer study P = 14.40 psia T (°C) (+ / - 0.01 °C) % by weight of hexafluoroacetone (+ / - 0.1) % by weight of CF3I ( + / - 0.1) -27.76 100.00 0.00 -27.96 98.37 1 . 63 -28.37 94.72 5.28 -28.72 90.82 9.18 -29.09 85.68 14.32 -29.41 80.01 19.99 -29.63 74.84 25.16 -29.74 71.06 28.94 -29.78 67.09 32.91 -29.81 64.29 35.71 -29.84 60.98 39.02 -29.84 58.59 41.41 -29.83 55.96 44.04 -29.81 53.35 46.65 -29.79 49.83 50.17 -29.86 45.58 54.42 -29.80 41.7 58.22 -29.73 35.65 64.35 -29.57 27.86 72.14 -29.42 21.35 78.65 -29.21 14.79 85.21 -27.21 5.72 94.28 -23.68 1.68 98.32 -22.29 0.00 100.00 Example 2 - Separation of impurities In this example, a crude trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) composition is provided, which includes hexafluoroacetone (HFA) as an impurity, along with other impurities such as trifluoromethane (HFC-23). ​​This composition is then distilled under conditions effective to form and separate an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) from the remaining composition. The separated azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) is removed from the remaining crude trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) composition as a light component. The remaining crude trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) composition is then subjected to different temperature and pressure conditions, where other impurities, such as trifluoromethane (HFC-23), can be separated by further distillation to obtain purified trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspects Aspect 1 is an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprising effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 2 is the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of aspect 1, comprising approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% of hexafluoroacetone ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi (HFA) and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 3 is the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of aspect 2 comprising approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 4 is the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of aspect 3, comprising approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 5 is the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of aspect 4, comprising approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 6 is the azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein the composition has a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia. Aspect 7 is the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of any of aspects 1 through 6, consisting essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane zebon / Lznz / E / YiAi (CF3I). Aspect 8 is the azeotrope or ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi azeotrope composition of any of aspects 1 through 7, consisting of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 9 is a composition comprising the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of any of aspects 1 through 8. Aspect 10 is the composition of aspect 9 comprising at least approximately 5% by weight of the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. Aspect 11 is the composition of aspect 10 comprising at least approximately 15% by weight of the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. Aspect 12 is the composition of aspect 11 comprising at least approximately 50% by weight of the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. Aspect 13 is the composition of aspect 12 comprising at least approximately 70% by weight of the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. Aspect 14 is the composition of aspect 13 comprising at least approximately 90% by weight of the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition. Aspect 15 is a method for forming an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprising the step of combining hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition comprising effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I). Aspect 16 is the method of aspect 15, the method comprising the step of combining hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of any of aspects 1 through 8. Aspect 17 is a method for separating hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) from a primary composition comprising hexafluoroacetone (HFA), trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and at least one impurity, including the steps of forming, within the primary composition, a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition comprising effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), and separating the secondary composition from the primary composition and at least one impurity. Aspect 18 is the method of aspect 17, wherein the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition is as defined in any of aspects 1 through 8. Aspect 19 is the method of aspect 17 or 18, in which the separation is carried out by at least one of the separation phases, distillation and fractionation. As used in this description, the phrase "within any defined interval between any two of the preceding ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi values" literally means that any interval can be selected from any two of the values ​​listed before the phrase, regardless of whether the values ​​are at the bottom or top of the list. For example, a pair of values ​​can be selected from two lower values, two higher values, or one lower and one higher value. As used herein, the singular forms *un*, *una*, and *el* include plural, even if the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, when a quantity, concentration, or other value or parameter is described as an interval, a preferred interval, or a list of preferred upper and preferred lower values, this is to be understood as the specific description of all intervals formed by any pair of any preferred value or upper limit of the interval and any preferred value or lower limit of the interval, regardless of whether the intervals are described separately. When an interval of numeric values ​​is mentioned herein, unless otherwise stated, the interval is intended to include its endpoints and all whole numbers and fractions within the interval. The scope of the description is not intended to be limited to the specific values ​​mentioned when defining an interval. It should be understood that the preceding description is merely illustrative of the present description. Those skilled in the art may consider various alternatives and modifications without departing from the description. Accordingly, the present description is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

Having described the invention as above, the following claims are claimed as property:

1. A composition characterized in that it comprises an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

2. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition has a boiling point of approximately 29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia.

3. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

4. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

5. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 59 wt% to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40 wt% to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

6. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

7. A composition characterized in that it comprises an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and having a boiling point of approximately 29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia.

8. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

9. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

10. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 59 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) to approximately 60 wt% hexafluoroacetone and approximately 40 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to approximately 41 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

11. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists essentially of approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

12. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

13. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or similar composition 1 ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi to azeotrope consists of approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

14. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consists of approximately 59.78 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

15. A method for forming an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition, characterized in that it comprises the step of combining hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) to form an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition consisting essentially of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) having a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the combination step comprises combining from approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the combination step comprises combining 1 ecfrnn / Lznz / E / YiAi from approximately 45 wt% to approximately 70 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and from approximately 30 wt% to approximately 55 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the combination step comprises combining approximately 59.78 wt% of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 40.22 wt% of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).

19. A method for separating hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) from a primary composition characterized in that it comprises hexafluoroacetone (HFA), trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and at least one impurity, comprising the steps of: forming, within the primary composition, a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition consisting essentially of effective amounts of hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) having a boiling point of approximately 29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia; and separating the secondary composition from the primary composition at least one impurity.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the formation step comprises forming, within the primary composition, a secondary composition that is an azeotropic or azeotropic-like composition consisting essentially of approximately 28 wt% to approximately 75 wt% hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and approximately 25 wt% to approximately 72 wt% trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and having a boiling point of approximately -29.84 °C ± 0.30 °C at a pressure of approximately 14.40 psia ± 0.30 psia.