PRODUCTION OF BIS(FLUOROMETHYL)ETHER AND/OR DIFLUOPRODUCTION OF BIS(FLUOROMETHYL)ETHER AND/OR DIFLUOROMETHANE FROM FORMALDEHYDE AND HYDROGEN FLUORIDE ROMETHANE FROM FORMALDEHYDE AND HYDROGEN FLUORIDE

摘要

2123100 9310070 PCTABS00022 A process for the production of bis(fluoromethyl)ether by contacting formaldehyde with hydrogen fluoride in a reaction/distillation vessel. The reaction/distillation vessel is preferably a reaction/distillation column through which formaldehyde and hydrogen fluoride preferably flow in counter current. The bis(fluoromethyl)ether may be converted to difluoromethane, preferably by heating the bis(fluoromethyl)ether to elevated temperature in the presence of a metal, metal oxide, metal fluoride or metal oxyfluoride catalyst.