The CW‐CO 2 laser induced reaction of 1,1‐difluoroethane with chlorine

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