Phosgene as a chlorinating agent

A possible exception to the foregoing statement is the so-called disproportionation of phosgene (see Chapter 8). This process. Equation (4.15), has been proposed as an efficient method for the manufacture of tetrachloromethane, although in the present feedstock situation this process would not be economical. Indeed, at the current prices commanded for phosgene, and with the perceived availability of carbon tetrachloride, it would be more beneficial to be able to derive phosgene from CC1 , for example by oxidation or hydrolysis. 

Interestingly, since tetrachloromethane may be readily interconverted into tetrachloroethene, a synthetic route to the C chlorinated hydrocarbons appears feasible [ICIl]. 

This reaction takes place at around 400 C and has an equilibrium yield lying well over to the right hand side of the equation it is driven by the large negative value of the free energy 

PREPARATION OF METAL CHLORIDES FROM METAL OXIDES AND PHOSGENE [577] 

Coal is poised to eventually replace oil as the primary industrial feedstock [862a], In the way that oil is cracked to produce ethylene, coal (or other organic material, such as natural gas) may be converted to synthesis gas. A large number of oxygenates are derivable from synthesis gas, some of which (such as ethanoic acid and methanol) are already in full commercial production. In conventional (ethylene-based) technology, dichlorine is normally 

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