Gas-phase Epoxidation of Hexafluoropropylene

The commercial production of hexafluoropropylene oxide, a valuable intermediate that can be converted to various high-performance materials, is often carried out via the liquid-phase oxidation of hexafluoropropylene, under high pressures and in the presence of chemical oxidizers and solvents. Due to concerns regarding process safety, scale-up and environmental impact through the generation of solvent waste, the gas-phase epoxidation of hexafluoropropylene with molecular oxygen was investigated as a possible alternative to the existing industrial methods. In this book, the preparation of hexafluoropropylene oxide via the gas-phase process is described. Optimal operating conditions for the yield and selectivity towards the epoxide are also determined. A kinetic model of the non-catalytic oxidation reaction is formulated and identified using the experimental data obtained.