Abstract: The methyl and ethyl esters of trifluoroacetic acid or chlorodifluoroacetic acid can be prepared in a technically simple manner from the corresponding acid chlorides and methanol or ethanol, respectively, in the presence of an “onium” salt of the acid as a catalyst. The alcohol is used in a stoichiometric excess, namely the molar ratio of alcohol to acid chloride is selected such that operation is in the region of a two-phase reaction. One of the phases is formed by the desired ester product, which is obtained in a high purity without any distillation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 1998
Date of Patent:
June 24, 2003
Assignee:
Solvay Fluor und Derivate GmbH
Inventors:
Max Braun, Kerstin Eichholz, Werner Rudolph