a carbonylation process which comprises contacting a β - fluoroalkanol , carbon monoxide , a base , and the group iib element mercury present in an oxidation state greater than zero . the resulting β - fluoroaliphatic carbonates can be employed in combination with alkanols and / or phenols to prepare aliphatic and aromatic mono - and polycarbonates . the resulting carbonates are useful in a wide variety of applications , especially polycarbonates which can be molded or formed into films , sheets , fibers , laminates , or reinforced plastics by conventional techniques .