Production of bis(fluoromethyl)ether and difluoromethane

摘要

A process for the production of bis(fluoromethyl)ether which comprises contacting formaldehyde with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of an essentially water-immiscible solvent for the ether. The bis(fluoromethyl)ether may be converted to difluoromethane, optionally after separation from the solvent, preferably by heating the bis(fluoromethyl)ether to elevated temperature in the presence of a metal, metal oxide, metal fluoride or metal oxyfluoride catalyst.