| abstract |
Process for the preparation of 2,2-difluoroethanol comprising the following steps: step (i): reaction of 1-chloro-2,2-difluoroethane with an alkali metal salt of formic acid or acetic acid in a suitable solvent until give the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate, characterized in that the 1-chloro-2,2-difluoroethane is slowly added to a heated mixture at the desired reaction temperature of solvent and metal salt formic acid or acetic acid alkaline; step (ii): transesterification of the 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate of step (i) in the presence of an alcohol and in the case of a base. |