Improved process for the preparation of trifluoromethyloxirane

摘要

Preparation of trifluoromethyl-oxirane (I) comprises: (i) reducing 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (II) in the presence of an inert solvent; (ii) treating the reaction mixture with a proton source to give 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol; and (iii) cyclising (III) with elimination of hydrogen chloride, using aqueous alkali.