Halocarbon

Halocarbon's Strength Benefits Customers in Tough Times

- Trifluoroacetone and hexafluoroacetone (HFA) derivatives
are becoming increasingly popular intermediates -

River Edge, NJ - September 30, 2008 - Halocarbon Products Corporation, a leading worldwide producer of specialty fluorochemicals for more than 50 years, continues to use its strength in process development to create industry-leading commercial routes to 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone, 1,1,1-trifluoroisopropyl alcohol and several key derivatives as well as other compounds for the benefit of its customers. All of these products are important building blocks for producing fluorinated compounds that have applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and photolithography fields.

"One of Halocarbon's key strengths has always been superior process development for which we've won multiple innovation awards," said Peter Murin, Halocarbon CEO. "In challenging economic times like we're in now, the most efficient process gives us and our customers a key strategic advantage. While we're not immune to the run up in raw material and energy costs, every advantage helps. Also, process efficiency cuts the environmental impact of our products. We feel so strongly about this that at times we've sacrificed speed to market. I believe that the combination of our technology, our culture of quality, and our responsible manufacturing here in the US gives our customers an unbeatable package."

In addition to 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone, Halocarbon developed the following trifluoroacetone derivatives. The protons on 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone are more acidic compared to acetone and thus mild basic conditions are required to make the enolate of trifluoroacetone. This makes the molecule ideal for preparing molecules of interest containing a CF3 group; for example, by using a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction like the Aldol condensation. The bromo analog was recently used to produce molecules for treatment of atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases. The recent patent literature also shows examples of the application of both trifluoroacetone and trifluoroisopropanol in the field of photolithography.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors based on trihalomethylcarbonyl compounds U.S. Pat. No. 7,193,105



(R)-Chiral halogenated substituted fused heterocyclic amino compounds useful for inhibiting cholesterol ester transfer protein activity. U.S. Pat. No. 7,253,211

Halocarbon has also recently developed a series of Hexafluoroacetone (HFA) derivatives.

"These compounds are useful building blocks for the synthesis of compounds that have applications in the pharmaceutical, polymer and photo resist industry," said Barry Jones, Halocarbon's Technical Director. "Hexafluoroisopropanol is used as a key raw material in the production of the inhalation anesthetic Sevoflurane. The aromatic HFA derivatives, which contain the hexafluoroisopropylidene function, are used as monomers in the manufacture of specialty polymers that exhibit higher thermo-oxidative stability and electrical properties."

Another area of interest is the use of HFA derivatives as monomers for the photo resist and coatings industry. The diols from the above list have applications in these areas.

About Halocarbon
With headquarters in River Edge, New Jersey, and a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in North Augusta, South Carolina, USA, Halocarbon is one of the world's leading producers of specialty fluorochemicals. Halocarbon products include inert lubricants, aliphatic fluorochemicals for pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical manufacturing, inhalation anesthetics and other specialty products. For more information, please contact the company at +1-201-262-8899 or at www.halocarbon.com.