ELECTROCHEMICAL FLUORINATION OF OCTANOYL CHLORIDE

A study of the electrochemical fluorination of octanoic acid halides has been made using techniques involving careful 'preparation' of the anodes prior to the introduction of organic substrate, followed by fluorination under controlled conditions. Studies were conducted on both bench scale and pilot plant scale operations. Reaction parameters are described in detail. The principal products were perfluorooctanoyl fluoride and a mixture of perfluorocylic ethers. The experiments established that reproducibility of the results could be achieved and that, by proper attention to reaction conditions, breakdown of the carbon skeleton was minimized; the variation of product ratios could be regulated to optimize the yield of desired materials. © 1979 Chapman and Hall Ltd.