Difluoroacetic anhydride is mainly used as an acylation reagent in organic synthesis to introduce difluoroacetyl groups. Difluoroacetate is mainly used as an intermediate in pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and fluorine-containing fine chemicals, and can also be used as a solvent in lithium battery electrolytes.
1. Difluoroacetic acid reacts with phosphorus pentoxide. Distillation yields difluoroacetic anhydride.
2. More difluoroacetic acid is added to the residue from step 1. Distillation gives a mixture containing the anhydride.
3. Difluoroacetic acid and methanol are added to the residue from step 2. Distillation yields methyl difluoroacetate.
4. The mixture from step 2 is reacted with phosphorus pentoxide. Distillation yields more difluoroacetic anhydride.
