The reaction of chlorofluoroalkanes with triethyl phosphite

Abstract

Chlorofluoroalkanes of the type CCl₃·[CF₂]_n·Cl, n= 2, 4, 6, etc., when treated with trialkyl phosphites, yield three products; an olefin CCl₂:CF·[CF₂]_n–1·Cl, an alkyl derivative RCCl₂·[CF₂]_n·Cl and, probably, an alkenylphosphonate (RO)₂P(O)·CCl:CF·[CF₂]_n–1·Cl. The mechanism of the formation of these products is discussed.

The chlorofluoroalkanes may be conveniently prepared by the reaction of carbon tetrachloride with tetrafluoro-ethylene in the presence of iron pentacarbonyl.