The catalytic fluorination of 2-chloropyridine into 2-fluoropyridine by Cl/F exchange in presence of HF and a metal fluoride as catalyst was investigated. Crystallized metal fluorides (BaF2, MgF2, CaF2, ZnF2, LaF3 and CeF3) with significant specific surface area between 65 and 125 m(2) g(-1) were prepared by thermal decomposition of corresponding metal trifluoroacetates at 350 degrees C under nitrogen. These solids were stable under fluorination operating conditions involved in the formation of 2-fluoropyridine. An important gain in activity for the catalytic fluorination of 2-chloropyridine was obtained with these metal fluorides compared to corresponding oxides used as catalyst. BaF2 and MgF2 were the most active catalysts for the fluorination of 2-chloropyridine. The higher activities are in relation with the weak or moderate strength of Lewis acidity of the active sites, measured by CO adsorption followed by IR spectroscopy. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.