Catalytic dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245eb) to 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) using in-situ fluorinated chromium oxyfluoride catalyst

As part of an effort to prepare a refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and with a low global warming potential (GWP), the catalytic dehydrofluorination of 1,1,1,2,3-tetrafluoropropane (HFC-245eb) is performed to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf). Cr₂O₃ prepared by the sol-gel method (Cr₂O₃(SG)) exhibits good catalytic activity attributable to the formation of surface chromium oxyfluoride, which exhibits better catalytic activity with high-valent chromium and a larger fluorine content. The formation of chromium oxyfluoride from chromium oxide is achieved by in-situ fluorination in the early stage of dehydrofluorination, avoiding the conventional fluorination method using toxic HF.