Atofina Chemicals, Inc.

Elf Atochem North America, Inc.

Bin Chen

Maher Y Elsheikh

Michael S Bolmer

John A Wismer

Sri Ram Seshadri

Michael Sheppard Bolmer

Conor M Dowling

A gas phase process for the preparation of 245fa is provided, wherein 1233zd is contacted with HF in the presence of a supported antimony catalyst.

Preparation of 245fa

The present invention is based upon the discovery that nontitanyl oxalates can enhance the catalytic functionality of titanyl oxalate catalysts. This invention provides a novel catalytic composition containing a titanyl oxalate catalyst and a metallic oxalate catalyst enhancer and optionally containing a metallic cocatalyst such as an antimony based catalyst. A synergistic relationship has been discovered between titanyl oxalate catalyst and the catalyst enhancer. A synergistic relationship has also been discovered between the titanyl oxalate catalyst, catalyst enhancer and a metallic cocatalyst such as antimony oxide or antimony triacetate. Also provided is an improved process of producing polyester by the polycondensation of polyester forming reactants in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a polycondensation catalyst, wherein the improvement comprises utilizing, as the polycondensation catalyst, the novel catalyst composition containing a titanyl oxalate such as lithium titanyl oxalate and a catalyst enhancer such as a nontitanyl metallic oxalate like lithium oxalate and optionally containing a metallic catalyst such as antimony oxide or antimony triacetate. The improved process produces an improved polyester having lower acetaldehyde numbers and good color. The titanyl oxalate/catalyst enhancer composition can be used as a polycondensation catalyst in combination with other catalysts to achieve synergistic catalytic activity. Preferred is a combination of lithium or potassium titanyl oxalate, Li or K TiO(C O ) , lithium or potassium oxalate, Li or K (C O ) with antimony oxide or antimony triacetate or antimony trisglycoxide.

Polyester polycondensation with catalyst and a catalyst enhancer

An uncatalyzed process is provided for the fluorination of 240 fa in the presence of a solvent.

Uncatalyzed fluorination of 240fa

An uncatalyzed liquid phase process is provided for producing 1,1,1-trifluoropropene via the fluorination of 1,1,3-trichloro-1-propene.

Preparation of 1,1,1-trifluoropropene

A liquid phase process is provided for the preparation of 1233zd with reduced oligomer formation via the fluorination of 1230za with HF in the presence of a catalyst selected from TFA and triflic acid. The 1233zd is a known intermediate useful for preparing 245fa.

Catalyzed liquid phase fluorination of 1230za

A supported Lewis acid catalyst such as antimony V on a fluorine-treated moisture-free activated carbon support is provided, as are fluorination processes using such a catalyst.

Fluorination catalysts

A process for the preparation of 142 is provided, wherein 1130 is fluorinated in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst which is a supported or unsupported fluorinated salt of one or more of chromium, iron, niobium, nickel, antimony, tin, tantalum or titanium. 142 is a known foam blowing agent.

Preparation of 142

An azeotrope containing HF and 1233zd is provided, as are methods for separating this azeotrope from mixtures of HF and 1233zd which are HF-rich or 1233zd-rich and methods for making use of the azeotrope and separation methods to improve processes for preparing 1233zd, an intermediate used in the preparation of 245fa. 245fa is a known foam blowing agent and refrigerant.

Azeotrope of HF and 1233zd

A process for the preparation of 245fa is provided, wherein 1233zd is first fluorinated to 1234ze, followed by fluorination of 1234ze to 245fa. 245fa is a known foam blowing agent and refrigerant.

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Tredyffrin, PA, United States of America

Bin Chen