Producing short chain perfluoroalkyl iodides

1. An improved process for producing perfluoroalkyl iodides of formula (I)

F(CF 2 CF 2 ) n —I  (I)

wherein n is an integer from 2 to 3, wherein the improvement comprises contacting at least one perfluoroalkyl iodide of formula (II) and at least one perfluoroalkyl iodide formula (III)

F(CF 2 CF 2 ) m —I  (II)

F(CF 2 CF 2 ) p —I  (III)

wherein m is an integer greater than or equal to 3, and p is an integer equal to or lower than 2, at a) a molar ratio of formula (III) to formula (II) of from about 1:1 to about 6:1, b) a residence time of from about 1 to about 9 seconds, and c) a temperature of from about 450° C. to about 495° C.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of formula (III) to formula (II) is from about 2:1 to about 6:1.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the temperature is from about 470° C. to about 490° C.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the residence time is held at from about 4 to about 5 seconds.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein selectivity is for formula (I) without use of iodine as a reactant.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the selectivity is a minimum of 50 mole % without addition of iodine as a reactant.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein the yield is at least 30%.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the perfluoroalkanes and perfluoroalkyl iodides are a maximum of 45% wherein the perfluoroalkyl group in the perfluoroalkyl iodides has 10 or more carbons.

9. The process of claim 1 , where p is 1 and m is an integer equal to or greater than 4.