abstract |
A process is provided for the manufacture of a haloalkane by the reaction of carbon tetrachloride with an olefin in the presence of dissolved catalytic copper compounds and a cosolvent. A fraction of the catalyst and co-catalyst is recycled to the reactor. In a preferred application, the olefin is ethene and the desired haloalkane is 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, or the olefin is vinyl chloride and the haloalkane is 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane, or the olefin is 1,1-dichloroethene and the haloalkane is 1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexachloropropane, or the olefin is 2-chloropropene and the haloalkane product is 1,1,1,3,3-pentachlorobutane. Other preferred implementations provide an efficient continuous process. |