Integrated process for the production of Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene

1. A process for the preparation of Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene from 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene comprising the Steps of:

a) contacting chlorine with 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene to obtain 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexachlorobutane;

b) contacting the 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexachlorobutane with a first basic aqueous solution to produce 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobuta-1,3-diene;

c) adding chlorine to the 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobuta-1,3-diene to obtain 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octachlorabutane;

d) contacting the 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octachlorobutane in a second basic aqueous solution to produce 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexachlorobuta-1,3-diene.

e) combining hydrogen fluoride with the 1,1,2,3,4,4-hexachlorobuta-1,3-diene to obtain E- and Z-1326mxz (1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-chloro-2-butene);

f) reacting Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-chloro-2-butene with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal halide to produce a mixture comprising hexafluoro-2-butyne; and,

g) hydrogenating hexafluoro-2-butyne to 1,1,1,4,4,4 hexafluro-2-butene.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein any one, any two or all three of Steps (b), (d) and (f) proceed in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst comprising an independently selected quaternary alkylammonium salt comprising alkyl groups of from four to twelve carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein said phase transfer catalyst comprises tetrabutyl ammonium chloride.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein either or both of Steps (a) and (c) proceed in the presence of a chlorination catalyst independently selected from the group consisting of SbCl 3 , FeCl 3 , CrCl 3 and AlCl 3 .

5. The process according to claim 4 , wherein the reaction of chlorine with 2,3-dichloro-1,3-butadiene to obtain 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexachlorobutane in Step (a) is performed at approximately 21° C.

6. The process according to claim 2 , wherein Step (b) further comprises dissolving said 1,2,2,3,3,4-hexachlorobutane and said quaternary alkylammonium salt in a dissolving solution.

7. The process according to claim 6 , wherein said dissolving solution is THF.

8. The process according to claim 4 , wherein the reaction of chlorine with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobuta-1,3-diene to obtain 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octachlorabutane in Step (c) is performed at approximately 21° C.

9. The process according to claim 2 , wherein Step (d) further comprises dissolving said 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octachlorobutane and said in a dissolving solution.

10. The process according to claim 9 , wherein said dissolving solution is THF.

11. The process according to claim 9 , wherein in the ratio of Z-versus E-1326mxz (1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-chloro-2-butene) in Step (e) is greater than 90%.

12. The process according to claim 9 , wherein the reaction of Step (e) is run at approximately 100° C. and 160 psig.

13. The process according to claim 12 , wherein the conversion of Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-chloro-2-butene to hexafluoro-2-butyne is at least 50% per hour.

14. The process according to claim 2 , wherein said alkali metal halide is sodium chloride.

15. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second basic aqueous solutions independently comprise a base selected from the group consisting of lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, and mixtures thereof.