Catalytic Fluorination of Haloethanes

A study has been made of the catalytic halogen exchange reaction to form the commercially important CFC alternative compound, CF3CH2F from CF3CH2CI. This reaction is thermodynamically difficult to perform and requires temperatures in the region of 573K. The fluorinating agent is anhydrous HF and the presence of a fluorinated chromia catalyst is essential. The performance of this catalyst can be altered by the presence of zinc(II) chloride as a dopant, before catalyst fluorination. The influence of zinc(II) doping and crystallinity were studied to determine the effect of these parameters on catalytic performance. Catalyst activity testing, characterisation and radiotracer techniques were used to elucidate a catalytic mechanism