A process for the production of a hydrofluorocarbon and use of a catalyst therefor

摘要

A process for the production of R227ea by the liquid phase catalytic fluorination of hexafluoropropene in which the catalyst comprises a Lewis acid transition metal fluoride, for example tantalum pentafluoride and niobium pentafluoride, is disclosed. The catalyst provides an alternative to antimony pentafluoride as a liquid phase fluorination catalyst thus avoiding the formation of HSbF6 and provides excellent selectivity. A catalyst precursor comprising a Lewis acid transition metal halide is also disclosed.