A process for producing E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene comprises contacting 1,1,2,4,4-pentachlorobuta-1,3-diene with hydrogen fluoride in the vapor phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. A process for producing Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene further comprises contacting E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst to produce 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane, followed by reaction with base to produce 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butyne, and subsequently hydrogenating hexafluoro-2-butyne to produce Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene.

A process for producing E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene comprises contacting 1,1,2,4,4-pentachlorobuta-1,3-diene with hydrogen fluoride in the vapor phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. A process for producing Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene further comprises contacting E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst to produce 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane, followed by reaction with base to produce 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butyne, and subsequently hydrogenating hexafluoro-2-butyne to produce Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene.

Processes for making bicyclic compounds and precursors thereof, and particularly for making [1.1.1]propellane and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane and derivatives thereof, utilize continuous flow reaction methods and conditions. A continuous process for making [1.1.1]propellane can be conducted under reaction conditions that advantageously minimize clogging of a continuous flow reactor. A continuous flow process can be used to make precursors of [1.1.1]propellane.

Processes for making bicyclic compounds and precursors thereof, and particularly for making [1.1.1]propellane and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane and derivatives thereof, utilize continuous flow reaction methods and conditions. A continuous process for making [1.1.1]propellane can be conducted under reaction conditions that advantageously minimize clogging of a continuous flow reactor. A continuous flow process can be used to make precursors of [1.1.1]propellane.

Disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting a haloalkane reactant with an olefin in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to produce a haloalkane insertion product, wherein said haloalkane reactant is an alkane substituted with at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting CF.sub.3CCl.sub.3 with CH.sub.2═CHX in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to make CF.sub.3CCl.sub.2CH.sub.2CHClX, wherein X═F or Cl. Also disclosed are further reactions in a sequence to produce HFO-1336ze and HCFO-1335zd. Also disclosed herein is a new composition comprising the compound CF.sub.3CF.sub.2CH═CHCl.

Disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting a haloalkane reactant with an olefin in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to produce a haloalkane insertion product, wherein said haloalkane reactant is an alkane substituted with at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting CF.sub.3CCl.sub.3 with CH.sub.2═CHX in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to make CF.sub.3CCl.sub.2CH.sub.2CHClX, wherein X═F or Cl. Also disclosed are further reactions in a sequence to produce HFO-1336ze and HCFO-1335zd. Also disclosed herein is a new composition comprising the compound CF.sub.3CF.sub.2CH═CHCl.

Disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting a haloalkane reactant with an olefin in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to produce a haloalkane insertion product, wherein said haloalkane reactant is an alkane substituted with at least one halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed herein is a process comprising contacting CF.sub.3CCl.sub.3 with CH.sub.2═CHX in the presence of a catalyst system that consists of metallic iron and a phosphine to make CF.sub.3CCl.sub.2CH.sub.2CHClX, wherein X═F or Cl. Also disclosed are further reactions in a sequence to produce HFO-1336ze and HCFO-1335zd. Also disclosed herein is a new composition comprising the compound CF.sub.3CF.sub.2CH═CHCl.

The present invention pertains to a novel process of manufacturing the compound 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf). The compound 1234yf is the newest refrigerant with zero OPD (Ozone Depleting Potential) and zero GWP (Global Warming Potential). Thus, the invention relates to a process, involving a carbene generation route, for the manufacture of the compound 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), of the compound 243db (2,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane), and optionally of the compound 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropene (1233xf) via carbene route and compound 243db (2,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane). The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of the compound 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), wherein the compound 243db (2,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane) serves as a starting material, for the manufacture of the compound 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf). Further, the invention relates to a process for the manufacture of the compound 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf), and of the compound 243db (2,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane), the initial starting materials are selected from the group consisting of com-pound 123 (2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane), compound 124 (2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), and compound 125 (pentafluoroethane).

Disclosed is a process for producing a chlorinated C3-6 alkane comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising an alkene and carbon tetrachloride in a principal alkylation zone to produce chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture, and extracting a portion of the reaction mixture from the principal alkylation zone, wherein: a) the concentration of the chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture in the principal alkylation zone is maintained at a level such that the molar ratio of chlorinated C3-6 alkane:carbon tetrachloride in the reaction mixture extracted from the alkylation zone does not exceed 95:5 when the principal alkylation zone is in continuous operation; and/or b) the reaction mixture extracted from the principal alkylation zone additionally comprises alkene and the reaction mixture is subjected to a dealkenation step in which at least about 50% or more by weight of the alkene present in the reaction mixture is extracted therefrom and at least about 50% of the extracted alkene is fed back into the reaction mixture provided in the principal alkylation zone; and/or c) the reaction mixture present in the principal alkylation zone and extracted from the principal alkylation zone additionally comprises a catalyst, and the reaction mixture extracted from the principal alkylation zone is subjected to an aqueous treatment step in which the reaction mixture is contacted with an aqueous medium in an aqueous treatment zone, a biphasic mixture is formed and an organic phase comprising catalyst is extracted from the biphasic mixture.

Disclosed is a process for producing a chlorinated C3-6 alkane comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising an alkene and carbon tetrachloride in a principal alkylation zone to produce chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture, and extracting a portion of the reaction mixture from the principal alkylation zone, wherein: a) the concentration of the chlorinated C3-6 alkane in the reaction mixture in the principal alkylation zone is maintained at a level such that the molar ratio of chlorinated C3-6 alkane:carbon tetrachloride in the reaction mixture extracted from the alkylation zone does not exceed 95:5 when the principal alkylation zone is in continuous operation; and/or b) the reaction mixture extracted from the principal alkylation zone additionally comprises alkene and the reaction mixture is subjected to a dealkenation step in which at least about 50% or more by weight of the alkene present in the reaction mixture is extracted therefrom and at least about 50% of the extracted alkene is fed back into the reaction mixture provided in the principal alkylation zone; and/or c) the reaction mixture present in the principal alkylation zone and extracted from the principal alkylation zone additionally comprises a catalyst, and the reaction mixture extracted from the principal alkylation zone is subjected to an aqueous treatment step in which the reaction mixture is contacted with an aqueous medium in an aqueous treatment zone, a biphasic mixture is formed and an organic phase comprising catalyst is extracted from the biphasic mixture.