PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ELECTROCHEMICAL FLUORINATION OF OCTANOYL CHLORIDE

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-1139(00)82945-0

The electrochemical fluorination of octanoyl chloride to produce perfluorooctanoyl fluoride in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride was investigated.The study was carried out in a microprocessor-aided modified Simons reactor system using a Cu/CuF2 reference electrode.The formation of polymeric tar at the anode surface was limited by the addition of a mercaptan compound and by constant current density operation.Continuous operation was achieved through frequent additions of a solution of hydrogen fluoride and reactant.Conversion of reactant to perfluorinated products was improved to 80 percent with good selectivity.Experimetnal results of this investigation are presented and discussed.