For the efficient and eco-friendly preparation of trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE)

as well as the application of byproduct HCl

a process composed of a two-stage series reaction was firstly proposed using HCl as the chlorine source. Oxidation of HCl to Cl2 was carried out in the first stage of the process

and the second stage of the process was the oxychlorination of EDC with generated Cl2 and unreacted O2 in the first stage to TCE and PCE. These reactions were carried out in series so that the deep oxidation reactions were effectively avoided. In addition

by using the two-stage process

different catalysts and process parameters could be applied in each stage to meet the different reaction needs. The complex Ce-Cu-K/Y catalyst was used in the first stage

and it was applied in the second stage with optimized loading of the active component. The appropriate loadings of K/Cu (mass ratio) and the active component were 0.73 and 45.5%

respectively. Meanwhile

the operation conditions in the second stage of the process were optimized. 83.4% yield of both TCE and PCE

96.1% yield of organochloride could be obtained at 430℃ with 0.5 h-1 weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of EDC

molar ratio of O2 to EDC 1.8

and molar ratio of O2 to EDC 2.4. The results presented an encouraging prospect in industrial application.