Disclosed is a process for the preparation of cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene comprising contacting 1,1,1-trifluorotrichloroethane with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium to produce a product mixture comprising 1316mxx, recovering said 1316mxx as a mixture of Z- and E-isomers, contacting said 1316mxx with hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of copper on carbon, nickel on carbon, copper and nickel on carbon and copper and palladium on carbon, to produce a second product mixture, comprising E- or Z-CFC-1326mxz, and subjecting said second product mixture to a separation step to provide E- or Z-1326mxz. The E- or Z-1326mxz can be dehydrochlorinated in an aqueous basic solution with an alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst to produce hexafluoro-2-butyne, which can then be selectively hydrogenated to produce Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene using either Lindlar's catalyst, or a palladium catalyst further comprising a lantanide element or silver.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

The present invention provides PC.sub.NHCP pincer metal complexes, which are useful as catalysts in various chemical reactions such as hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) in C(sp.sup.3)-H and/or C(sp.sup.2)-H bond of an organic compound, e.g., a pharmaceutically active compound; hydroboration of alkynes with excellent selectivity; and alkene isomerization with high stereo- and regioselectivity.

The present invention provides PC.sub.NHCP pincer metal complexes, which are useful as catalysts in various chemical reactions such as hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) in C(sp.sup.3)-H and/or C(sp.sup.2)-H bond of an organic compound, e.g., a pharmaceutically active compound; hydroboration of alkynes with excellent selectivity; and alkene isomerization with high stereo- and regioselectivity.

In the presence of a catalyst and a cycloalkane compound represented by formula (3):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, and R.sup.10 are the same or different and each is a halogen atom, an alkyl group, or a fluoroalkyl group; an alkene compound represented by formula (2):

##STR00002##

wherein X, X.sup.2, R.sup.1, and R.sup.2 are as defined above; is reacted with a hydrogen-containing gas to hydrogenate the alkene compound represented by formula (2), whereby an alkane compound represented by R.sup.1CHX.sup.1CHX.sup.2R.sup.2, wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are the same or different and each is a halogen atom, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and each is an alkyl group or a fluoroalkyl group; can he synthesized in such a manner that (S),(R)-isomer, (R),(R)-isomer, and (S),(S)-isomer are co-produced.