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Abstract

A process is described for the heterogeneous hydrogenation of fluorine-containing alkyl, cycloalkyl, and benzene carboxylic acids to the corresponding primary alcohols. The hydrogenation can be carried out in the liquid or vapor phase in the presence of a solid rhodium or iridium catalyst, employed as the metal, metallic oxide, or mixture thereof. In the liquid phase, the hydrogenation can be carried out batchwise under mild conditions of temperature and pressure, preferably at about 50.degree.-150.degree. C. and about 5-15 atmospheres, in an atmosphere containing hydrogen gas. A preferred embodiment is the hydrogenation of trifluoroacetic acid in the liquid phase to 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, said alcohol being useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of the anesthetic, isoflurane, CF.sub.3 CHClOCHF.sub.2.

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