| abstract |
The present invention provides highly efficient processes for the preparation of chlorinated alkanes. The processes comprise contacting an alkene, halogenated alkene, or combinations thereof, a halogenated methane comprising at least one chlorine atom, at least one solid metallic catalyst, and a ligand forming a reaction mixture in a reactor. The product mixture does not contain a phase transfer catalyst. After a product mixture is formed, various fractions, distillation streams, and effluent streams are separated and/or treated with an aqueous alkaline substance. This treatment removes at least a portion of the metal and through recycling of the heavy fraction, treated product mixture, or combinations thereof, allows for the kinetics of the process to be maintained or increased. |