Ketene → Trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride

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Reaction Steps

This invention pertains to a process for the preparation of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride (triflic anhydride) by the disproportionation of a mixed anhydride comprising a trifluoromethane-sulfonyl acyl residue and a carboxyl residue. More particularly, this invention pertains to a process for the preparation of trifluoromethane-sulfonic acid anhydride by the steps of (1) forming a mixed anhydride comprising a trifluoromethanesulfonyl acyl residue and a carboxyl residue by contacting trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or a derivative thereof with a carboxyl compound selected from ketene, dialkyl ketenes, carboxylic acids, and derivatives of carboxylic acids and (2) subjecting the mixed anhydride to reactive distillation wherein the mixed anhydride undergoes disproportionation to produce triflic anhydride and a higher boiling carboxylic acid anhydride.

Provenance & Evidence