A process for the production of trichlorethylene and tetrachlorethylene.

摘要

Tri- and tetra-chloroethylene are prepared by passing acetylene through an aqueous copper chloride solution containing cupric ions, of which up to 50% may be replaced by cuprous ions, the pH value of the reaction solution, when diluted with an equal amount of water and measured with a glass electrode, being kept at 0-3, preferably 1-2.5, and the reaction temperature being at least 60 DEG C. Other chlorides may also be present in the solution, e.g. those of NH4, K, Na, Li, Ca, Mg, Al, and Zn. The most favourable cupric content for the production of C2HCl3 and C2Cl4, respectively, is 70-90 and 85-100 mole per cent of Cu2 + based on the total copper content. Other products obtained in examples are CCl2:CH2, and cis- and trans-CHCl:CHCl.