Catalytic Hydrogenolysis of CCI2F2 into CH2F2. Catalyst Development

摘要

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are partly responsible for ozone depletion andglobal warming, are being rapidly phased out. In spite of this prohibition on the production and use of CFCs, the depletion of ozone will continue, because large amounts of CFCs are still in use and, unavoidably emission of CFCs will continue. Therefore, the recovery and subsequent destruction of the CFCs still in use is a logical next step. Especially, the conversion of these CFCs into useful products is a challenging task. An inventory of the CFCs still in use shows that about 90% of the banked CFCs are CCl3F and CCl2F2. In the future, part of the CFCs will be replaced by HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), as short term replacement, and eventually HFCS (hydrofluorocarbons) as long term replacement. The development of a catalyst and process for the conversion of CCl2F2 into CH2F2 would make it possible to convert the majority of the CFCs in use (CCl3F and CCl2F2) into a valuable, ozone friendly product (CH2F2).