Method for producing fluorinated organic compounds

1. A process for making 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, comprising hydrofluorinating 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of SbCl 3 , SbCl 5 , SbF 5 , TiCl 4 , and SnCl 4 , wherein the catalyst is activated by the addition of hydrogen fluoride and/or chlorine.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is in bulk form.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is supported.

4. The process of claim 3 , wherein the support is selected from the group consisting of carbon, alumina, fluorinated alumina, or aluminum fluoride.

5. The process of claim 1 where the catalyst is activated using anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.

6. The process of claim 1 where the catalyst is activated using anhydrous chlorine.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the hydrofluorination is vapor-phase fluorination.

8. The process of claim 7 , wherein the catalyst for vapor-phase fluorination reaction is SbCl 5 supported on activated carbon.

9. The process of claim 7 , wherein the vapor-phase fluorination reaction is carried out at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 120° C. and at a pressure of about 30 psia to about 175 psia.

10. The process of claim 7 , wherein the mole ratio of hydrogen fluoride to 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene is from about 2:1 to about 15:1.

11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the hydrofluorination is liquid-phase fluorination.

12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the catalyst for liquid-phase fluorination reaction is SbCl 5 .

13. The process of claim 11 , wherein the liquid-phase fluorination reaction is carried out at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 120° C. and at a pressure of about 50 psia to about 175 psia.

14. The process of claim 11 , wherein the mole ratio of hydrogen fluoride to 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene is from about 2:1 to about 15:1.