Title of Invention	"A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A HYDROFLUOROALKANE"
Abstract	A process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane, which process comprises contacting a hydrochlorofluoroethane of formula CC1XYCFHZ, wherein X and Y are each independently chlorine or fluorine and Z is chlorine, fluorine or hydrogen, in the liquid phase with hydrogen fluoride and a fluorination catalyst and recovering a hydrofluoroalkane from the resulting products.

Full Text

PRODUCTION OF HYDROFLUOROALKANES The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrofluoroalkanes, particularly 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) and pentafluoroethane (R-125). 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) is employed as or as a component of a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons in the many applications in which chlorofluorocarbons are employed. Several processes for the production of hydrofluoroalkanes such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) are known. Among such processes is the fluorination of the corresponding chlorine-containing starting materials by reacting the starting material with hydrogen fluoride in the liquid or the vapour phase, usually in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. GB-A-1589924 describes the production of R-134a by the vapour phase fluorination of l,l,l-trifluoro-2-chloroethane (R-133a) which is itself obtainable by the fluorination of trichloroethylene as described in GB-A- 1307224. Several processes for the production of R-134a from trichloroethylene based on the combination of the reaction of trichloroethylene with hydrogen fluoride to produce R-133a and the reaction of R-133a with hydrogen fluoride to produce R-134a have been proposed. W090/08755 describes the conversion of trichloroethylene to R-134a wherein the two reaction steps are carried out in a single reaction zone wherein part of the product stream containing R-133a is recycled. EP-A-0449614 describes a process for the manufacture of R-134a which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a mixture of trichloroethylene and hydrogen fluoride with a fluorination catalyst under superatmospheric pressure at a temperature of from about 200°C to about 400°C in a first reaction zone to form a product containing 1,1,1- trifluoro-2-chloroethane and hydrogen chloride together with unreacted starting materials, (b) passing the product of step (a) together with hydrogen fluoride to a second reaction zone containing a fluorination catalyst at a temperature of from about 280°C to about 450°C but higher than the temperature in step (a) to form a product containing l,l,l-trifluoro-2-chloroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and hydrogen chloride, (c) treating the product of step (b) to separate 1,1,1,2- tetrafluoroethane and hydrogen chloride from 1,1,1-trifluoro- 2-chloroethane and unreacted hydrogen fluoride, and (d) feeding l,l,l-trifluoro-2-chloroethane obtained from step (c), together with trichloroethylene and hydrogen fluoride into the first reaction zone (step (a)). EP-A-0449617 describes a process for the production of R-134a which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a mixture of l,l,l-trifluoro-2-chloroethane and hydrogen fluoride with a fluorination catalyst at a temperature of from about 280°C to about 450°C in a first reaction zone to form a product containing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and hydrogen chloride together with unreacted starting materials, (b) passing the product of step (a), together trichloroethylene to a second reaction zone containing a fluorination catalyst at a temperature of from about 200°C to about 400°C but lower than the temperature in step (a) to form a product containing 1,1,1- trifluoro-2-chloroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, hydrogen chloride and unreacted trichloroethylene and hydrogen fluoride, (c) treating the product of step (b) to separate 1,1,1,2- tetrafluoroethane and hydrogen chloride from l,l,l-trifluoro-2- chloroethane, unreacted trichloroethylene and hydrogen fluoride, and (d) feeding 1,1,1 -trifluoro-2-chloroethane obtained in step (c), together with hydrogen fluoride into the first reaction zone (step (a)). However, a problem which is encountered with processes for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane based on the hydrofluorination of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane and/or trichloroethylene is that the conversion of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane to 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is equilibrium limited, there being a relatively low maximum conversion of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane to 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane under typical operating conditions. This process requires repeated recycling of the raw materials. Hence, this process has poor efficiency, as regards energy consumption. Another commercially used process for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane involves the following steps: 1) CC12=CC12 + C12 + 4HF -> CF3CFC12+ 4HC1 2) CF3CFC12 + 2H2 -> CF3CH2F + 2HC1 The present invention, therefore, provides a process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane, particularly 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or pentafluoroethane, which process comprises contacting a hydrochlorofluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride and a fluorination catalyst and recovering a hydrofluoroalkane from the resulting products. The hydrochlorofluoroethane typically has the formula CC1XYCFHZ wherein X and Y are each independently chlorine or fluorine and Z is chlorine, fluorine or hydrogen, preferably chlorine or hydrogen. For example, the hydrochlorofluoroethane may have the formula CC1XYCFH2. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is a process for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane and the hydrochlorofluoroethane has the formula CC1XYCFH2, for example CC12FCFH2. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the process of the invention is a process for the production of pentafluoroethane and the hydrochlorofluoroethane is, for example, CC12FCC1FH. More specifically, the present invention provides a process for producing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) from l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane CH2FCCI2F (R-132c) by the hydrofluorination of CH2FCCI2F (R-132c) with hydrogen fluoride. It has been found that the reaction products from the process of the invention for producing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane comprise a greater molar proportion of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane than is obtained when 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane is used as the starting material. The starting materials are CC13CFH2, CC13CF2H, CC12FCFH2, CC12FCF2H, CC1F2CFH2, CC1F2CF2H, CC12FCC1FH, CC13CC1FH and CC1F2CC1FH. Preferably CC12FCFH2 or CC1F2CFH2 is employed for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. Preferably CC12FCC1FH or CC12FCF2H is employed for the production of pentafluoroethane. Typically, when CC12FCFH2 (R-132c) is employed CC1F2CFH2 (R-133b) is produced as an intermediate. This intermediate is further fluorinated to produce CF3CFH2 (R-134a). The conversion of CC12FCFH2 (R-132c) to CF3CFH2 (R-134a) via CC1F2CFH2 typically takes place in a single reaction vessel. However, it is possible for CC12FCFH2 (R-132c) to be partly fluorinated to produce CC1F2CFH2 (R-133b) which is isolated and subsequently fluorinated to produce CF3CFH2 (R-134a). The process of the invention typically takes place at a relatively low temperature, for example below 150°C in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst. The process can be carried out in batch, semi-batch or continuous modes. Reaction times are dependent on several factors such as the catalyst used, the HF concentration, the pressure and the reaction temperature. For batch processes, suitable reaction times are from 1 to 24 hours. For example 15 to 18 hours, such as 16 or 17 hours. Any suitable fluorination catalyst can be used. Examples of the fluorination catalyst include, but are not limited to, halides, mixed halides or oxyhalides of groups 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15 and 16 of the Periodic Table. Suitable fluorination catalysts are those which yield the desired hydrofluoroalkane as a product of the reaction with a yield of greater than 10%, preferably greater than 25%, based on the starting materials processed. Suitable catalysts include antimony pentahalides, such as those represented by the formula SbCl5_xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. Antimony pentahalides in which x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 or less than or equal to 3 may be used. For example, x may be from 1 to 3 (eg 2). The use of antimony halides wherein x is 3 is preferred, x is. not necessarily a whole number. Suitable antimony pentahalides include, for example, SbF5, SbF4Cl, SbFCl4, SbCl3F2 and SbCl2F3. A mixture of two or more halide catalysts may be used, for example a mixture of SbCl3F2 and SbCl4F may be used. If, for example, a 1:1 molar mixture of SbCl3F2 and SbCL4F were used the catalyst could be represented as SbCl3.Fi.5. It is, of course, not essential that the different halide compounds are present in a ratio of 1:1. The ratio of any two halide compounds within a catalyst mixture may, typically, be from 1:1000 to 1000:1. Another antimony catalyst that may be used is HSbF6. Other suitable catalysts include halides, mixed halides or oxyhalides of tin, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, molybdenum and niobium. Suitable tin containing catalysts include those of formula SnCl4_xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4. x may, for example, be 1, 2, 3 or 4. x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable tin containing catalysts include tin tetrafluoride (SnF4) and mixed halides such as SnCl3F, SnCl2F2 and SnClF3. Suitable tungsten containing catalysts include those of formula (WC15.XFX)2, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. Tungsten halides in which z is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 or less than or equal to 3 may be used. For example x may be from 1 to 3 (eg 2). x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable tungsten containing catalysts include tungsten pentafluoride ((WF5)2), (WF4C1)2, (WFC14)2, (WC13F2)2 and (WCI2F3)2. Suitable titanium containing catalysts include those of formula wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4. x may for example, be 1, 2, 3 or 4. x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable titanium containing catalysts include titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) and mixed halides such as TiCl3F, TiCl2F2 and TiClF3. Suitable tantalum containing catalysts include those of formula TaCl5_xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. Tantalum halides in which x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 or less than or equal to 3 may be used. For example x may be from 1 to 3 (eg 2). x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable tantalum containing catalysts include tantalum pentafluoride (TaF5), TaF4Cl, TaFCl4, TaCl3F2 and TaCI2F3. The use of tantalum pentafluoride is particularly preferred. Suitable molybdenum containing catalysts include those of formula MoCl5-xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. Molybdenum halides in which x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 or less than or equal to 3 may be used. For example, x may be from 1 to 3 (eg 2). x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable molybdenum containing catalysts include molybdenum pentafluoride (MoF5), MoF4Cl, MoFCl4, MoCl3F2 and MoCl2F3. Suitable niobium containing catalysts include those of formula NbCl5_xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. Niobium halides in which x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 or less than or equal to 3 may be used. For example, x may be from 1 to 3 (eg 2). x is not necessarily a whole number. Examples of suitable niobium containing catalysts include niobium pentafluoride (NbF5), NbF4Cl, NbFCl4, NbCl3F2 and NbCl2F3. Mixtures of any of the catalysts mentioned above may be used. For example, a combination of an antimony catalyst and a tin catalyst or an antimony catalyst and a titanium catalyst may be used. Each of the catalysts mentioned above can be used alone or in combination with any one or more of the other catalysts mentioned. The catalysts used in the present invention are typically prepared by charging the reactor with the metal halide(s) (for example, SbCl5, SnCl4, (WC15)2, TiCl4, TaCl5, MoCl5 or NbCl5 or a mixture thereof) and pretreating the metal halide(s) with HF to achieve at least partial fluorination. The metal chloride may itself be made in-situ in the reaction vessel. Alternatively, partially or fully iluorinated catalysts, or mixtures thereof, may be charged directly to the reactor and subsequently pre-treated with HF. Alternatively, metal oxides or mixtures of metal oxides may be charged directly to the reactor and subsequently pre-treated with hydrogen fluoride. Suitable metal oxides include Ta2O5, Nb2O5, W2O5, Mb2O5, Sb205, TiO2 and SnO2. Preferred metal oxides are Ta2O5 and Nb2O5. Preferably a tantalum catalyst or an antimony catalyst is used. Optionally, when an antimony catalyst is used, chlorine may be added to the reaction vessel to ensure that the antimony is maintained in the +5 oxidation state. The selection of the catalyst to be used will depend on a number of factors, including the reaction conditions and the rate of production of the fluorinated product. While we do not wish to be bound by theory, it seems that the amount of fluorination of the pentahalide catalyst alters with the rate of production of the fluorinated product. For higher rates of production of the fluorinated product a more fluorinated catalyst is required. The weight ratio of organic starting material to catalyst is typically from 1:50 to 5:1, preferably from 1:10 to 1:1. The relative proportions of hydrogen fluoride to starting material that is employed may vary within wide limits although it is generally preferred to employ at least a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen fluoride. The stoichiometrically required molar ratio depends upon the particular starting material. It is generally advantageous to use excess hydrogen fluoride, typically 1 to 50 times the stoichiometric amount and preferably 1 to 20 times the stoichiometric amount. However, for some metals, such as antimony, this can lead to the formation of highly corrosive acid complexes. Therefore, for metals like antimony, which can form high corrosive acid complexes, hydrogen fluoride is typically only added in an amount in excess of the stoichiometrically required amount if additional hydrogen fluoride is required to replace lost hydrogen fluoride, for example if hydrogen fluoride is removed from the reaction vessel with the reaction products. Alternatively, an excess of organic starting material may be used. In this case, the rate of reaction is controlled by the rate of addition of hydrogen fluoride. The contents of the reaction vessel may be mixed using any technique that is standard in the art. For example, an agitator may be used to mix the contents. Alternatively, the momentum of the reactants (for example the hydrogen fluoride) as they are added to the reaction vessel may be sufficient to allow adequate mixing. Alternatively, at least one of the reactants may be added as a vapour or as a mixture of vapour and liquid, to promote mixing. The fluorinated product of the process of the invention is typically more volatile than the organic starting material. The fluorinated product can, for example be removed from the reaction vessel as a vapor. The by-product, hydrogen chloride, can also be removed from the reaction vessel as a vapor. Other light impurities will typically be removed from the reaction vessel along with the fluorinated product and the hydrogen chloride. Optionally, heavy impurities can be periodically or continuously removed from the reaction vessel. For example, a mixture of catalyst and heavy impurities can be purged periodically or continuously from the reactor. It is possible to separate the catalyst from the heavy impurities and then retain the catalyst for later use or return it to the reactor. The temperature at which the process of the invention is carried out is typically less than 150°C. Preferably the temperature is from 50 to 120°C, most preferably 70 to 100°C. Suitable temperatures include, for example, those from 90°C to 100°C. As will be readily appreciated, the most suitable temperature will depend on a number of factors such as the pressure at which the reaction is carried out and the nature of the catalyst and starting materials used. The process is typically carried out at a pressure of from 0 to 60 x 105 N/m2 (0 to 60 bar), preferably from 6 x 105 to 50 x 105 N/m2 (6 to 50 bar). Especially preferred pressures are those in the range of 40 x 105 to 45 x 105N/m2 (40 to 45 bar), for example 44 x 105N/m2 (44 bar). Other examples of suitable pressures include 20 x I05 to 30 x 105 N/m2 (20 to 30 bar). The pressure will be at least equal to the vapour pressure of the reaction mixture. As will be readily appreciated, the most suitable pressure will depend on a number of factors such as the temperature at which the reaction is carried out and the nature of the catalyst and starting materials used. Suitable combinations of temperature and pressure include 40 bar at 90°C and 44 bar at 100°C. The hydrogen fluoride used in the present invention is typically substantially anhydrous. As used herein, the term "substantially anhydrous" refers to a moisture content of less than about 0.05% by weight and preferably less than about 0.02% by weight. The presence of water tends to deactivate the fluorination catalyst. Water tends to oxidize the metal halides to inactive oxides. The presence of water can be compensated for to some extent by increasing the amount of catalyst used or by the addition of chlorine to the reactor. The products of the process of the present invention may be separated and/or purified using standard techniques well known in the art such as distillation. The products may be washed with water to remove any excess hydrogen fluoride. Optionally, any underfluorinated products can be recycled into the reaction vessel where they can undergo further fluorination. For example, any CC1F2CFH2 produced in a reaction process for the production of CF3CFH2 (R-134a) can be recycled into the reaction vessel where it can undergo further fluorination to provide of CF3CFH2 (R-134a). The starting materials used in the present invention can be produced by any suitable method known in the art. Commercially available starting materials may be used. For example, GB-A-2271989 describes a process for the preparation of fluorinated ethanic organic compounds, which comprises reacting ethylene or a halogenated ethylenic compound with uranium hexafluoride. 1,1-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane (R-132c) may be produced using the process described in GB-A-2271989. In that process, vinylidene dichloride, CH2=CC12, is reacted with uranium hexafluoride at high temperature, the molar ratio of vinylidene dichloride to uranium hexafluoride typically ranges from 1:1 to 1.2:1. The production of CC12FCClFH is also described in GB-A-2271989. The production of CHC1FCC12F (R-122a) using uranium hexafluoride is also described in "Production of Ozone-safe Substances by Fluorination of Organic Compounds with the Use of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride", in The Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry (2000), published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. l,l-Dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane (R-132c) can be synthesized by oxyfiuorination of 1,1-dichloroethene (vinylidene dichloride) using lead (IV) oxide in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride as described in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1945, 67, 1639. The reaction can be carried out in a Hastalloy C autoclave. This reaction yields a considerable amount of a co-product, 1,1-dichloro-1-fiuoroethane (R-141b). The resulting reaction mixture is fractionally distilled and a fraction comprising 60% R-141b and 40% R- 132c by weight is collected. It is not, however, feasible to separate R-132c and R-141 b by distillation. The preparation of l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane is also described in Example 4 of WO92/00262. Other processes which can be used to produce l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane, 1,1,1-trichloro-fluoroethane and 1-chloro-1,1,2-rrifluoroethane include that described in WO91/13048. l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane can also be produced by a process comprising contacting 1,1-dichloroethylene with lead dioxide and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride as described in United States Statutory Invention Registration number HI 188. Preferably l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane CH2FCC12F (R-132c) is prepared using the process described in EP-A-396168 (which corresponds to US-A-5177275), which is incorporated herein by reference. That process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting (i) a substrate compound having at least one site for fluorination, such as vinylidene dichloride, CH2CCl2, or a mixture of such compounds with (ii) elemental fluorine, alone, or in admixture with an inert gas, in an eductor until the reaction is substantially complete; and (b) recovering (i) a reacted substrate compound, (ii) a mixture of such compounds or (iii) an oligomeric derivative of (i) or (ii). Preferably the process is carried out in a loop reactor comprising cooling zones for controlling the heat of reaction with fluorine. Preferably, the reaction temperature is from about —80°C to about +100°C. The process can be carried out with a reaction mixture consisting essentially of (a)(i) and (a)(ii); alternatively, the process can be carried out with a reaction mixture comprising (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii), in a liquid medium at a temperature of from about the freezing point of the medium to about the boiling point of the medium. For example, the process can be carried out with a reaction mixture of vinylidene dichloride and fluorine, optionally in a liquid medium, at a temperature of from about the freezing point of the liquid medium to about the boiling point of the liquid medium. If a liquid medium is used, it preferably comprises a perhalogenated organic liquid or an inorganic liquid selected from water, hydrogen fluoride, and the like or a mixture thereof. Suitable liquid mediums include CFCl3, CF2C12, and CC14. Any other suitable process for the production of l,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane CH2FCC12F (R-132c) from vinylidene dichloride (CH2=CC12) may alternatively be used. If necessary, CH2FCC12F (R-132c) can be purified by any process known in the art, such as the one described in WO91/06521. It is preferable for CH2FCC12F (R-132c) to be purified before it is used for the production of 1,1,1,2-terrafluoroethane (R-134a). In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a two step process for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a). In the first step, vinylidene dichloride (VdC, CH2CC12) is reacted with fluorine to form R-132c (CH2FCC12F) and subsequently R-132c is fluorinated to form R-134a. These steps are represented by the following equations: 1) CH2=CC12 + F2 -> CH2FCC12F 2) CH2FCC12F + 2HF -> CF3CH2F + 2HC1 The two steps of this process can be carried out adjacently and continuously. For example, with the reaction products of the first stage being fed directly into the reaction vessel for the second stage. Alternatively, the two stages can be performed separately. For example, R-132c (CH2FCC12F) can be prepared and stored until it is required for the production of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a). In other words, it is not necessary for R-132c to be produced at the location at which it is converted to 1,1,1,2-terrafluoroethane (R-134a). Commercially available R-132c may be used to produce 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) in accordance with the present invention. It is also possible that both the conversion of vinylidene dichloride to R-132.C and the conversion of R-132c to 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) could be performed in a single reactor. The present invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting Example. Example Preparation of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) from l,l-dichloro-l,2- difluoroethane (R-132c) using a tantalum pentafluoride catalyst in the liquid phase A 25 ml Hastelloy C pressure reactor, fitted with a pressure gauge, stirrer, thermocouple pocket, dip pipe and vent line was charged with 5 grams of tantalum pentafluoride in a dry box. The vessel was assembled and pressure tested to 25 barg with nitrogen. The vessel was then depressurised to atmospheric pressure and charged with 12 grams of hydrogen fluoride. The stirrer was then switched on. A 5 gram aliquot of R-132c was added to the reaction vessel and the heater was switched on. The vessel was heated to 100°C and held at this temperature for one hour. The pressure generated at 100°C was 44 barg. The reactor was cooled to 90°C and held at this temperature for a further 16 hours. The pressure at 90°C was 40 barg. The reactor was cooled to 0°C (pressure of 18 barg) and the contents of the headspace transferred into a cooled Whitey bomb. A total of 4 grams of material were recovered. 20 mis of the recovered vapour was added to a 300 ml glass burette containing 5 mis of water. Analysis of the organic fraction present in the burette was carried out using conventional gas chromatographic techniques. The composition of the headspace (based on area counts) was as follows: 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a): 81-83% Others (mainly R-133b and its isomers plus R-132c): 17-19% CLAIMS: 1. A process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane, which process comprises contacting a hydrochlorofhioroethane of formula CC1XYCFHZ, wherein X and Y are each independently chlorine or fluorine and Z is chlorine, fluorine or hydrogen, in the liquid phase with hydrogen fluoride and a fluorination catalyst and recovering a hydrofluoroalkane from the resulting products. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from SbCl5-xFx, (WC15.XFX)2, TaCl5-.xFX, MoCl5-.xFx and NbCl5_xFx wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5, TiCl4-.xFx and SnCl4_xFx, wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4 and mixtures thereof. 3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one compound of the formula TaCl5-.xFx wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. 4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the catalyst is tantalum pentafluoride. 5. A process according to claim 3, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one compound of the formula TaCl5_xFx wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 4. 6. A process according to claim 2, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one compound of the formula SbCl5-.xFx wherein x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5. 7. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrofluoroalkane is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. 8. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrochlorofluoroethane is 1,l-dichloro-l,2-difluoroethane or 1- chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane. 9. A process according to claim 8, wherein the l,l-dichloro-l,2- difluoroethane has been obtained by the reaction of vinylidene dichloride with elemental fluorine. 10. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrofluoroalkane is pentafluoroethane. 11. A process according to claim 10, wherein the hydrochlorofluoroethane is 1,l,2-trichloro-l,2-difluoroethane or 1,1- dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. 12. A process according to any one of the preceding claims which is carried out batch-wise. 13. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 11 which is carried out continuously.

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00176-delnp-2003-abstract.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-claims.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-correspondence-others.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-description (complete).pdf

00176-delnp-2003-form-1.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-form-18.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-form-2.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-form-3.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-form-5.pdf

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00176-delnp-2003-pct-101.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-pct-210.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-pct-304.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-pct-308.pdf

00176-delnp-2003-pct-408.pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Abstract-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Claims-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Correspondence-Others-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Correspondence-Others-(17-02-2003).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Description (Complete)-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Form-1-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Form-2-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Form-3-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Form-5-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-GPA-(04-01-2008).pdf

176-DELNP-2003-Petition-137-(04-01-2008).pdf