Atochem

Marc Thomarat

Bernard Cheminal

Henri Mathais

A process for producing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol or 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol which comprises hydrogenating a fluoro compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or CF.sub.3 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a straight- or branched-chain alkyl group, which can also be fluoro-substituted, in the liquid phase in the presence of a palladium-on-activated-carbon catalyst, and if desired a tertiary amine co-catalyst.

Process for the synthesis of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol and

The invention relates to the preparation of trifluoroacetyl chloride by catalytic chlorination of trifluoroacetaldehyde with chlorine. Catalysis is performed in the vapor phase in a fixed bed or a fluidized bed reactor with an activated carbon catalyst. Optionally, hydrochloric acid and/or an inert diluent can be present with the reactant without affecting the results of this process.

Process for preparing trifluoroacetyl chloride

A process for preparing pure fluoral hydrate or hexafluoroacetone hydrate which comprises reacting a hemiacetal with the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or CF.sub.3, with water in a distillation column, removing respectively the methanol or ethanol produced at the head of the column, and recovering at the bottom of the column the pure hydrate so produced.

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Pierre Benite, France

Marc Thomarat