Preparation of purified optical isomers of desflurane

摘要

A process for the preparation of highly purified optical isomers of desflurane, i.e. 2-(difluoromethoxy)-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, is described wherein the highly purified opposite optical isomer of iso-flurane is reacted with bromine trifluoride in the cold, preferably in the presence of a solvent. A preferred solvent is bromine. The highly purified positive isomer of desflurane is advantageous over the negative isomer or the racemate.