The CW-CO2 laser induced reaction of 1,1-difluoroethane with chlorine

The CW–CO₂ laser induced reaction of CF₂HCH₃ (1) with Cl₂ yields vinylidene fluoride (2) as the main product; other products are CH₃CF₂Cl (3), CF₂ClCH₂Cl (4), CF₂ = CHCl (5), CF₂ = CCl₂ (6) and CF₂ Cl₂ (7). The yield dependence of 2 on the CF₂HCH₃/Cl₂ ratio, the laser irradiation time, the laser power and the pressure of the gaseous reactants have been investigated. Furthermore, the TEA–CO₂ laser induced reaction of 1 with Cl₂. the CW–CO₂ laser induced reaction of 2 and 2 with Cl₂ have also been studied in order to gain more mechanistic insights for this complicated reaction system. Apparently, CF₂ClCH₃ but not CF₂HCH₂Cl. is the main precursor to 2. Interestingly, it has been found that the relatively strong double bond of CF₂ = CH₂ can be broken by laser irradiation. The possibility of applying this laser methodology to the production of vinylidene fluoride has been discussed.