Hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons and methods for

Abstract

A process for the preparation of compounds of the formula, F(CF.sub.2).sub.a CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.b F where a and b are the same or different and are each an integer .gtoreq.1 (including the novel compound CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.3), which comprises chlorination in the presence of irradiation, of at least one compound of the formula, F(CF.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.x C1.sub.3-x where n is an integer .gtoreq.1 and x is an integer .ltoreq.3. There is also disclosed a process for utilizing the F(CF.sub.2).sub.a CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.b F compounds to produce F(CF.sub.2).sub.a CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.b F.sub.3 compounds which comprises contacting hydrogen and the F(CF.sub.2).sub.a CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.b F compounds in the presence of a catalysis which includes at least one Group VIII transition metal. A further aspect of the invention is a novel group of compounds, F(CF.sub.2).sub.a CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.b F, wherein a and b are the same or different and are each an integer from 2 to 10, particularly 3,3,4,4-tetrachloroperfluorohexane (i.e., CF.sub.3 CF.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 CC1.sub.2 CF.sub.2 CF.sub.3), whose corresponding hydrofluorocarbons can be used as cleaning solvents.