Process for decreasing chlorine content in chlorinated hydrocarbons

摘要

The chlorine or halide content in a chlorinated hydrocarbon or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon in an environment which admits to the presence of air and moisture can be reduced by bringing the chlorinated hydrocarbon or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon into contact with a reagent which comprises (i) a complex of a substantially nontoxic metal having at least two oxidation states and (ii) a reducing agent which reductively returns the complex from its second oxidation step to its first oxidation stage. A representative embodiment involves bis-( eta <5>-cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride and sodium tetrahydridoborate. Optionally, the reaction is conducted in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic amine, optionally in the presence of an inert organic solvent.