Compositions and uses of trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene

Abstract

Disclosed is a mixture comprising the compound trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of HFOs, HFCs, HFEs, CFCs, CO2, olefins, organic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and others such as methyl formate, formic acid, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene, carbon dioxide, cis-HFO-1234ze+HFO-1225yez; mixtures of these plus water; mixtures of these plus CO2; mixtures of these trans 1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE); mixtures of these plus methyl formate; mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+CO2; mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+HFO-1225yez+CO2; and mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+HFC-245fa. Also disclosed are methods of using and products of using the above compositions as blowing agents, solvents, heat transfer compositions, aerosol propellant compositions, fire extinguishing and suppressant compositions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising an azeotropic or near-azeotropic composition of trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and cyclopentane. 
     
     
         2 . The azeotropic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 89.6 to about 97.8 mole percent trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and about 2.2 to about 10.4 mole percent cyclopentane. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , which exhibits a vapor pressure of from about 1.43 psia to about 83.12 psia at a temperature of from −40° C. to 60° C. 
     
     
         4 . The near-azeotropic composition of  claim 1 , comprising from about 82.4 to about 99.8 mole percent trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and from about 0.2 to about 17.6 mole percent cyclopentane. 
     
     
         5 . A mixture comprising the compound trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of HFOs, HCFOs, HFCs, HFEs, HCFCs, CFCs, CO2, olefins, hydrochloroolefins, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, water, and others such as methyl formate, ethyl formate, formic acid, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), carbon dioxide, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, cis-HFO-1234ze+HFO-1225yez; mixtures of these plus water; mixtures of these plus CO2; mixtures of these plus trans-1,2-dichloroethylene; mixtures of these plus methyl formate; mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+CO2; mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+HFO-1225yez+CO2; and mixtures with cis-HFO-1234ze+HFC-245fa. 
     
     
         6 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene; carbon dioxide; cis-HFO-1234ze; HFO-1225yez; low molecular weight alcohols; low global warming potential olefins; chlorofluorocarbons; ketones; aldehydes; organic acids; and alkanes. 
     
     
         7 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of cis-HFO-1234ze; trans-HFO-1234ze; HFO-1234yf; HFO 1225ye(Z); HFO-1225ye(E); HFO-1225yc; HFO-1233zd (E&Z); HFC-1233xf; HCFO-1224yd (E&Z); (CF3)2CFCH═CHF (E & Z); (CF3)2CFCH═CF2; CF3CHFC═CHF (E & Z); and (C2F5)(CF3)C═CH2. 
     
     
         8 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of HFC-245eb; HFC-245ca; HFC-227ea; HFC-236ea; HFC-236fa; HFC-134a; HFC-134; HFC-152a; HFC-32; HFC-125; HFC-143a; HFC-365mfc; HFC-161; and HFC-43-10mee. 
     
     
         9 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of CHF2-O—CHF2; CHF2-O—CH2F; CH2F—O—CH2F; CH2F—O—CH3; cyclo-CF2-CH2-CF2-O; cyclo-CF2-CF2-CH2-O; CHF2-O—CF2-CHF2; CF3-CF2-O—CH2F; CHF2-O—CHF—CF3; CHF2-O—CF2-CHF2; CH2F—O—CF2-CHF2; CF3-O—CF2-CH3; CHF2-CHF—O—CHF2; CF3-O—CHF—CH2F; CF3-CHF—O—CH2F; CF3-O—CH2-CHF2; CHF2-O—CH2-CF3; CH2F—CF2-O—CH2F; CHF2-O—CF2-CH3; CHF2-CF2-O—CH3; CH2F—O—CHF—CH2F; CHF2-CHF—O—CH2F; CF3-O—CHF—CH3; CF3-CHF—O—CH3; CHF2-O—CH2-CHF2; CF3-O—CH2-CH2F; CF3-CH2-O—CH2F; and CF2H—CF2-CF2-O—CH3. 
     
     
         10 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of propane; butane; isobutane; neopentane; isopentane; n-hexane; isohexane; and heptane. 
     
     
         11 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of dimethylether; methylethylether; diethyl ether; methylpropylether; methylisopropylether; ethylpropylether; ethylisopropylether; dipropylether; diisopropylether; dimethyloxymethane; diethoxymethane; dipropoxymethane; and dibutoxymethane. 
     
     
         12 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde; acetaldehyde; propanal; butanal; and isobutanal. 
     
     
         13 . The mixture of  claim 5 , wherein the additional compound comprises one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of acetone; methylethylketone; and methylisobutylketone. 
     
     
         14 . A process of forming a foam comprising:
 (a) adding a foamable composition to a blowing agent; and,   (b) reacting said foamable composition under conditions effective to form a foam,   wherein said blowing agent comprises the composition according to  claim 5 .   
     
     
         15 . A foam formed by the process according to  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . A foam comprising a polymer and the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         17 . A pre-mix composition comprising a foamable component and a blowing agent, said blowing agent comprising the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         18 . A process for producing refrigeration comprising;
 (a) condensing the composition according to  claim 5 ; and,   (b) evaporating said composition in the vicinity of a body to be cooled.   
     
     
         19 . A heat transfer system comprising a heat transfer medium, wherein said heat transfer medium comprises the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of cleaning a surface comprising bringing the composition according to  claim 5  into contact with said surface. 
     
     
         21 . An aerosol product comprising a component to be dispensed and a propellant, wherein said propellant comprises the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         22 . A method for extinguishing or suppressing a flame comprising dispensing the composition according to  claim 5  at said flame. 
     
     
         23 . A system for preventing or suppressing a flame comprising a vessel containing the composition according to  claim 5  and a nozzle to dispense said composition toward an anticipated or actual location of said flame. 
     
     
         24 . A process for dissolving a solute comprising contacting and mixing said solute with a sufficient quantity of the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         25 . A method for preventing or rapidly quenching an electric discharge in a space in a high voltage device comprising injecting a gaseous dielectric into said space, wherein said gaseous dielectric comprises the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         26 . A high voltage device comprising a gaseous dielectric, wherein said gaseous dielectric comprises the composition according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         27 . The high voltage device according to  claim 26  selected from the group consisting of a transformer, a circuit breaker, a switch and a radar waveguide.