Novel generation ponytails in fluorous chemistry: Syntheses of primary, secondary, and tertiary (nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl amines

(Nonafluoro-tert-butyloxy)ethyl tosylate 4 was prepared in 65% yield from nonafluoro-tert-butanol 1 using commercially available reagents. Further reaction of 4 with HNR¹R² (R¹ = R² = H, CH₃; R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, (CH₂)₃C₈F₁₇, CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃) affords the appropriate (CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂NR¹R² amines in 20-69% yields. Improved overall yields of [(CF₃)₃COCH₂CH₂]_3−nNR_n to 1 were obtained by the reaction of (CF₃)₃CONa 2 and (XCH₂CH₂)_3−nNR_n (X = Cl, n = 0, 1, 2, R = CH₃; X = CH₃SO₂O, n = 1, R = CH₃SO₂) nitrogen mustards and a similar reactive β-substituted ethyl amine. The title amines are mobile colorless liquids and volatile with steam. The bulky fluorous ponytail (CF₃)₃CO(CH₂)₂ displays high acidic stability and increases fluorous character almost as much as the classical straight-chain C₈F₁₇(CH₂)₃ ponytail.     

Fluorous modification of 2,2′-bipyridine

A series of 2,2′-bipyridines featuring fluorinated alkyl groups [(CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃: x = 0, (1); 5, (2); 7, (3); 9 (4)] appended in the 4 and 4′ positions have been prepared. 1-4 were characterized by spectroscopy and physical methods including partition coefficient (biphase: perfluoromethylcyclohexane/toluene) and cyclic voltammetry (THF). Ab-initio calculations of vertical ionization potentials (VIPs) for 1-4 confirm the insulating role of the methylene spacers as the electrochemical reduction potentials of 1-4 are almost identical to that of 2,2′-bipyridine. Calculations for (CH₂)_nCF₃ derivatives (n = 0-10) describe a limit for impact of the CF₃ group through 9-10 methylenes. From both physical and theoretical data fluorinated alkyl groups of the formula (CH₂)₃(CF₂)_xCF₃ [x = 0-9] are inductively equivalent to a hydrogen substituent when appended to the bipyridine moiety.     

Tetrafluoroethylene telomerization using dibromohaloethanes as telogens

Carrier mediated telomerization (CMT) between C₂F₄ and bromochlorofluoroethanes has been evaluated in terms of product distributions arising from CMT and ‘normal’ telomerization. The effect of parameters like type of initiator and telogen, TFE pressure and temperature on the reaction has been studied. The peroxide initiated telomerization between dibromohaloethanes and C₂F₄ offers an easy synthetic route to α,ω-dibromo perfluoroalkanes Br(CF₂)_nBr with n = 2, 4, 6 and 8. The selectivity of the CMT products versus those from “normal” telomerization depends mainly on the choice of telogen and on its ability to act as ‘bromine donor’ in the radical telomerization. These perfluoroalkyl dibromides are useful intermediates for other derivatives, for example, perfluorinated mono- and diolefins, Br(CF₂)_nCHCH₂ and CH₂CH(CF₂)_nCHCH₂.     

Preparation of ferrocenes with high fluorous-phase affinities

The reaction of 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)ferrocene with fluorous alkoxides having the general formula NaOCH₂(CF₂)_nCF₃ (n = 0, 2, 5, 7, and 8) afforded a series of ferrocenes of general formula {η⁵-4-[CF₃(CF₂)_nCH₂O]C₆F₄C₅H₄}₂Fe (1). The reaction of 1,1′-bis(4-tetrafluoropyridyl)ferrocene with the same fluorous alkoxides afforded a series of ferrocenes of general formula (η⁵-4-{2,6-[CF₃(CF₂)_nCH₂O]₂C₅F₂N}C₅H₄)₂Fe (2). Perfluoro(methylcyclohexane)/toluene partition coefficients increase with the number (2 or 4) and length (n) of the fluorous substituent. Complexes 1a and 2a (both n = 0) were structurally characterized.     

sp C-H bond functionalization of methyl n-alkyl ketones [MeCOCnH2n+1 (n = 6-8)] as a novel method for the one-pot regioselective synthesis of ‘bifunctional alkanes’ with remote functional groups

Selective one-pot functionalization of methyl n-alkyl ketones, C_nH_2n+1COMe (n = 6-8) involving C-sp³-H bond cleavage with CO and various nucleophilic substrates [ⁱPrOH, BuCH(Et)CH₂OH, CF₃CH₂OH, (CF₃)(Me)CHOH, H(CF₂)₂CH₂OH, HCCCH₂OH, furan, thiophene, and anisole] in the presence of the superelectrophilic system CBr₄·2AlBr₃ has been performed for the first time.     

First examples of stable polyfluorinated bis- and tris-(alkoxy)methyl cations

Stable polyfluorinated bis- and tris-(alkoxy)methyl cations were prepared by the reaction of the corresponding difluoroformals (R_fO)₂CF₂ (R_f = -CH₂CF₃, -CH(CF₃)₂, -CH₂CF₂Cl) with an excess of SbF₅. Although the cation (CF₃CH₂O)₂CF⁺ (1a) is stable at ambient temperature, the chlorinated analog (ClCF₂CH₂O)₂CF⁺ (3a) can be generated only at low temperature in SO₂ClF solvent and rapidly decomposes at ambient temperature. Although the salt [(CF₃)₂CHO]₂CF⁺Sb_nF_5n+1⁻ (2a) is slightly more stable than the salt of cation 3a, at ambient temperature it undergoes rapid disproportionation with formation of equal amounts of [(CF₃)₂CHO]₃C⁺Sb_nF_5n+1⁻ (2b) and CF₃OCH(CF₃)₂ (2c). Stable solid salt 2b (n = 2) was isolated and fully characterized by ¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and repellent properties of vinylidene fluoride-containing polyacrylates

Fluorinated polyacrylats with side group containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) units (CF₃(CF₂)_n (CH₂CF₂)_m, n = 3, 5; m = 1, 2) were successfully synthesized. The water and oil repellency properties of these polymers are similar to those of fluorinated polyacrylate with side group containing long perfluorooctyl group (CF₃(CF₂)₇). The thermal telomerization of CF₃(CF₂)₅I and CF₃(CF₂)₃I with vinylidene fluoride (VDF) provided CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂I (1b) and CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂I (1c), respectively. The addition of 1b with ethylene followed by hydrolysis gave CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH (2b). Treatment of 1c with ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of Na₂S₂O₄ followed by reduction produced CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂CH₂CH₂OH (2c). Fluoroacrylates 3b-d were prepared by acrylation of the corresponding fluoroalcohols 2b-d. The semi-continuous process emulsion co-polymerization of 3a-d with octadecyl acrylate and 2-hydroxylethyl acrylate initiated by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ in the presence of a mixture emulsifiers of polyoxyethylene(10)nonyl phenyl ether (TX-10) and sodium lauryl sulfate provided stable latexes 4a-d, respectively. The water and oil repellency properties of 4b (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₅CH₂CF₂) and 4c (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₃CH₂CF₂CH₂CF₂) containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) units were similar to those of 4a (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₇) containing long perfluoroalkyl group and much better than those of polymer 4d (R_f: CF₃(CF₂)₃) with short perfluoroalkyl chain. Thus, polyacrylates containing vinylidene fluoride units showed promising aspects as the alternatives to the currently used water and oil repellent agents with long perfluoroalkyl chains.     

New types of asymmetrical bromonium salts [RF(RF′)Br]Y where RF and/or RF′ represent perfluorinated aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups

A series of previously unknown asymmetrical fluorinated bis(aryl)bromonium, alkenyl(aryl)bromonium, and alkynyl(aryl)bromonium salts was prepared by reactions of C₆F₅BrF₂ or 4-CF₃C₆H₄BrF₂ with aryl group transfer reagents Ar′SiF₃ (Ar′ = C₆F₅, 4-FC₆H₄, C₆H₅) or perfluoroorganyl group transfer reagents R_F′BF₂ (R_F = C₆F₅, trans-CF₃CFCF, C₃F₇C≡C) preferentially in weakly coordinating solvents (CCl₃F, CCl₂FCClF₂, CH₂Cl₂, CF₃CH₂CHF₂ (PFP), CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ (PFB)). The presence of the base MeCN and the influence of the adducts R_F′BF₂·NCMe (R_F = C₆F₅, CF₃C≡C) on reactions aside to bromonium salt formation are discussed. Reactions of C₆F₅BrF₂ with Alk_F′BF₂ in PFP gave mainly C₆F₅Br and Alk_F′F (Alk_F′ = C₆F₁₃, C₆F₁₃CH₂CH₂), presumably, deriving from the unstable salts [C₆F₅(Alk_F′)Br]Y (Y = [Alk_F′BF₃]⁻). Prototypical reactivities of selected bromonium salts were investigated with the nucleophile I^-and the electrophile H⁺. [4-CF₃C₆H₄(C₆F₅)Br][BF₄] showed the conversion into 4-CF₃C₆H₄Br and C₆F₅I when reacted with [Bu₄N]I in MeCN. Perfluoroalkynylbromonium salts [C_nF_2n+1C≡C(R_F)Br][BF₄] slowly added HF when dissolved in aHF and formed [Z-C_nF_2n+1CFCH(R_F)Br][BF₄].     

Synthesis and characterization of tri-block fluorinated-n-alkanes

A series of triblock semifluorinated n-alkanes of general formula F(CF₂)_n(CH₂)_m(CF₂)_nF (n = 6, 8 and m = 4, 6, 8) have been synthesized and characterized. The synthesis of triblock compounds was performed in two different ways according to the length of the hydrogenated moiety. Coupling of two molecules of β-(perfluoro-n-alkyl)ethyl iodides leads to the triblock materials F(CF₂)₆(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₆F and F(CF₂)₈(CH₂)₄(CF₂)₈F. The synthesis of compounds with larger hydrogenated part is accomplished in two steps by the addition of perfluoro-n-alkyl iodide F(CF₂)_nI to 1,5-hexadiene and 1,7-octadiene, respectively to give the diiodo-adducts which are subsequently deiodinated to the final triblock products F(CF₂)₆(CH₂)₆(CF₂)₆F, F(CF₂)₆(CH₂)₈(CF₂)₆F, F(CF₂)₈(CH₂)₆(CF₂)₈F and F(CF₂)₈(CH₂)₈(CF₂)₈F. The obtained triblock semifluorinated n-alkanes are characterized by low surface free energies with good lubricant properties usable as additives in ski-wax formulations.     

New synthesis and thermal studies of palladacycloalkanes and their precursors

A series of new palladacycloalkanes of formula cis-[PdL₂(CH₂)_n] (9. n = 6, L = PPh₃; 10. n = 6, L₂ = dppe; 11. n = 8, L = PPh₃; 12. n = 8, L₂ = dppe) have been prepared by two routes. In the first route, the precursor bis(1-alkenyl) complexes cis-[PdL₂((CH₂)_nCHCH₂)₂] (1. n = 2, L = PPh₃, 2. n = 2, L₂ = dppe, 3. n = 3, L = PPh₃, 4. n = 3, L₂ = dppe) were allowed to react with Grubb’s 2nd generation catalyst to give the palladacycloalkenes, cis-[PdL₂(CH₂)_nCHCH(CH₂)_n] (5. n = 2, L = PPh₃, 6. n = 2, L₂ = dppe, 7. n = 3, L = PPh₃, 8. n = 3, L₂ = dppe), which were then hydrogenated to the palladacycloalkanes, 9-12. In the second route, the di-Grignard reagents BrMg(CH₂)_nMgBr (n = 6, 8) were reacted with the palladium complex [PdCl₂(COD)] followed by immediate ligand displacement to form the respective palladacycloalkanes 10 and 12. The complexes obtained were characterized by a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Thermal decomposition studies were carried out on the palladacycloalkanes 9-12 and the main organic products shown to be 1-alkenes and 2-alkenes.     

Carbosiloxandendrimere mit terminalen SiH-Bindungen

An efficient method for the preparation of carbosiloxane dendrimers with end-grafted SiH-bonds is given by using the alcohols HOCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe_3 − nH_n (4a: n = 1, 4b: n = 2, 4c: n = 3), which themselves are accessible by the hydrosilylation of MeCOCH₂CH₂CHCH₂ (1) with the chlorosilanes HSiMe_3 − nCl_n (2a: n = 1, 2b: n = 2, 2c: n = 3) and hydrogenation of the latter species with Li[AlH₄]. Alcohols 4a-4c can be used as starting materials for the preparation of carbosiloxane dendrimers of the 1^st-3^rd generation. For the synthesis of the 1^st generation dendrimers, Me_4 − mSiCl_m (5a: m = 1, 5b: m = 2, 5c: m = 3, 5d: m = 4) is reacted with 4a-4c in presence of NEt₃ as base. The dendritic molecules Me_4 − mSi[OCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe_3 − nH_n]_m (n = 1: 6a, m = 1; 6b, m = 2; 6c, m = 3; 6d, m = 4. n = 2: 7a, m = 1; 7b,m = 2; 7c, m = 3; 7d, m = 4. n = 3: 8a, m = 3; 8b, m = 4) are thereby obtained in excellent yield. Carbosiloxane dendrimers of the 2^nd and 3^rd generation with a MeSiO₃- or SiO₄-core can be isolated from the reaction of MeSi(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂Cl)₃ (9), MeSi(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMeCl₂)₃ (11), Si(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂Cl)₄ (13) and MeSi(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe(OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂Cl)₂)₃ (15) with 4a or 4b, respectively, under similar reaction conditions. Thereby MeSi[OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂OCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe₂H]₃ (10), MeSi[OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe_3 − nH_n]₂]₃ (12a, n = 1; 12b, n = 2), Si[OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe₂H]₂]₄ (14) and MeSi[OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe[OCH₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂OCH(Me)(CH₂)₄SiMe_3 − nH_n]₂]₃ (16) are formed as colourless oils.Compounds 3, 4, 6-8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 were characterised by elemental analysis as well as spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and mass spectrometric (ESI-TOF) studies.     

Bis(perfluoroorganyl)bromonium salts [(RF)2Br]Y (RF = aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl)

Bromonium salts [(R_F)₂Br]Y with perfluorinated groups R_FC₆F₅, CF₃CFCF, C₂F₅CFCF, and CF₃C≡C were isolated from reactions of BrF₃ with R_FBF₂ in weakly coordinating solvents (wcs) like CF₃CH₂CHF₂ (PFP) or CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ (PFB) in 30-90% yields. C₆F₅BF₂ formed independent of the stoichiometry only [(C₆F₅)₂Br][BF₄]. 1:2 reactions of BrF₃ and silanes C₆F₅SiY₃ (Y = F, Me) ended with different products - C₆F₅BrF₂ or [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SiF₅] - as pure individuals, depending on Y and on the reaction temperature (Y = F). With C₆F₅SiF₃ at ≥−30 °C [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SiF₅] resulted in 92% yield whereas the reaction with less Lewis acidic C₆F₅SiMe₃ only led to C₆F₅BrF₂ (58%). The interaction of K[C₆F₅BF₃] with BrF₃ or [BrF₂][SbF₆] in anhydrous HF gave [(C₆F₅)₂Br][SbF₆]. Attempts to obtain a bis(perfluoroalkyl)bromonium salt by reactions of C₆F₁₃BF₂ with BrF₃ or of K[C₆F₁₃BF₃] with [BrF₂][SbF₆] failed. The 3:2 reactions of BrF₃ with (C₆F₅)₃B in CH₂Cl₂ gave [(C₆F₅)₂Br][(C₆F₅)_nBF_4−n] salts (n = 0-3). The mixture of anions could be converted to pure [BF₄]⁻ salts by treatment with BF₃·base.     

Synthesis of novel lipophilic and/or fluorophilic ethers of perfluoro-tert-butyl alcohol, perfluoropinacol and hexafluoroacetone hydrate via a Mitsunobu reaction: Typical cases of ideal product separation

Fluorophilic ethers having the structure RC(CF₃)₂O(CH₂)₃C_nF_2n + 1 are obtained in high yields, when F-tert-butyl alcohol (R = CF₃), F-acetone hydrate (R = O(CH₂)₃C_nF_2n + 1), F-pinacol (R = C(CF₃)₂O(CH₂)₃C_nF_2n + 1) are reacted with 3-perfluoroalkyl-1-propanols (C_nF_2n + 1(CH₂)₃OH, n = 4, 6, 8, 10) in a Mitsunobu reaction (Ph₃P/DIAD [i-PrO₂CN = NCO₂Pr-i]/ether). The parent lipophilic ethers with the structure of (CF₃)₃CO(CH₂)₃C_nH_2n + 1 were prepared analogously using the corresponding fatty alcohols and F-tert-butyl alcohol. To achieve ideal separations, products were transferred to orthogonal phases relative to the other reaction components using fluorous extraction, fluorous solid-organic liquid filtration, or steam-distillation. Selected physical properties including melting and boiling point, together with fluorous partition coefficients of these ethers were determined and the figures obtained were qualitatively analyzed using relevant thermodynamic theories. Some of these ethers are liquids with rather low freezing points and are miscible with fluorocarbon solvents.     

Synthesis and properties of gemini-type hydrocarbon-fluorocarbon hybrid surfactants

Gemini-type hybrid surfactants with two fluorocarbon chains connected through a hydrocarbon spacer, F(CF₂)_m(CH₂)₂CH(OSO₃Na)(CH₂)_nCH(OSO₃Na)(CH₂)₂(CF₂)_mF [Fm(Hn)FmOS, m = 4, 6; n = 5, 6, 7, 8)], were synthesized and their surface chemical properties were examined with the aim to have highly functional and highly water-soluble fluorinated surfactants when compared with the conventional fluorinated surfactants. Comparisons of the surface chemical properties of the synthesized gemini-type hybrid surfactants with those of monounit-type hybrid surfactants, F(CF₂)_m(CH₂)₂CH(OSO₃Na)(CH₂)_nH [FmEHnOS, m = 4, 6; n = 3, 5)], revealed that gemination causes a remarkable lowering (about 1/100) in cmc value while it produces little changes in Krafft point (below 0 °C) and surface tension at cmc (γ_cmc).     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of gallium and indium fluoroalkoxide ‘ate’ complexes

The treatment of InCl₃ with MOCH(CF₃)₂ (M = Li, Na, K) in a 1:6 stoichiometry, followed by recrystallisation results in the formation of the bimetallic “ate” complexes [Na₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆(THF)₃] (2) and [Li₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆(THF)₃] (5) from hexane, and [K₃In(OCH(CF₃)₂)₆]_n (4) from a THF and toluene mixture. If a 1:3 stoichiometry is used chloride containing compounds [Na₂InCl(OCH(CF₃)₂)₄(THF)₄] (1) and [KInCl₂ (OCH(CF₃)₂)₂(THF)₃]_n · THF (3) are obtained on recrystallisation from hexane. Treatment of GaCl₃ with 6 equivalents of LiOC(CH₃)₂CF₃ gives [LiGa(OC(CH₃)₂CF₃)₄(THF)₂] (6) on recrystallisation from hexane. The protolysis reaction between In(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃, formed in situ from (Me₃Si)₂NH, ⁿBuLi and Incl₃, and HOCH(CH₃)CF₃ results in isolation of [LiIn(OCH(CH₃)CF₃)₃Bu]₂ (7) from hexane. The structures of 2, 4, and 5 all contain the tetranuclear core InO₆M₃. Compounds 1 and 3 have residual chloride; 1 is a trinuclear species with two THF ligands per Na, while 3 is a linear polymer. Compound 6 has a GaO₂Li four-membered parallelogram at its core. Complex 7 has a tetranuclear In₂O₆Li₂ core and an unexpected ⁿBu group on the In atoms. The coordination spheres of the alkali metals in 1-6 include solvated THF while 1-5 display additional close M?F interactions.     

Nickel (II) complexes with β-enaminoketonato chelate ligands: Synthesis, solid-structure characterization and reactivity toward the addition polymerization of norbornene

Based on two β-enaminoketonato ligands [ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)OH] (L₁, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; L₂, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), their mono(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)Ni(Ph)(PPh₃)] (1, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 3, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and bis(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)₂Ni] (2, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 4, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of complex 1, 2 and 4 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) these catalytic precursors 1-4 could polymerize norbornene to afford addition-type polynorbornene (PNB). Interestingly, catalytic activities and PNB productivity were greatly enhanced due to the introduction of strong electron-withdrawing group - trifluoro methyl into the ligands. Catalytic activities, polymer yield, M_w and M_w/M_n of PNB have been investigated under various reaction conditions.     

Novel perfluoroalkylated oligo(oxyethylene) methyl ethers with high hemocompatibility and excellent co-emulsifying properties for potential biomedical uses

Two series of novel perfluoroalkylated amphiphilic compounds were synthesized from monomethyl ethers of mono-, di- and tri-(oxyethylene) glycols. The first series CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)_nOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂-CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_nCF₃ (n = 1-3) bearing the hydroxy group at the spacer between hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts was prepared by the reactions of the monomethyl ethers with 2-(perfluoroalkylmethyl)oxiranes in 76-97% yields. The second series CH₃(OCH₂CH₂)_nOCH₂CH₂CH₂-CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_nCF₃ (n = 1-3) possessing the non-hydroxylated spacer was synthesized from allyl methyl ethers of oligo(oxyethylene) glycols using radical additions of perfluoroalkyl iodides and subsequent selective reductions of the C-I bond in the adducts in overall yields of 23-69%. Some of the novel amphiphilic compounds displayed very low hemolytic activity to erythrocytes and excellent co-emulsifying properties on testing on perfluorodecalin/Pluronic F-68 microemulsions. 1-O-(2-Hydroxy-4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,9-tridecafluorononyl)-d-xylitol was prepared by a novelized synthesis and employed as a standard compound in the testing.     

Synthesis and characterization of partially fluorinated ethers

A series of partially fluorinated ethers PFE-m,n with general formula F(CF₂)_mCH₂CH₂O(CH₂)_nH (m = 4, 6, 8 and n = 2, 3, 5, 8, 14, 18, 21) has been synthesized and characterized. The present work aimed to investigate the synthesis of PFE-m,n and evaluate some of their fundamental physico-chemical properties such as: specific gravity, refractive index, viscosity, solid-solid transitions, solubility and amphiphile surface activity in a variety of solvents. Further, a comparison between PFE-m,n and the well known semifluorinated n-alkanes F(CF₂)_m-(CH₂)nH (FHm, n) with the same value of the m/n ratio have been reported.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of boratranes with methyl substituents on the atrane cage

Three monomeric boratranes B[(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n] (n = 0, 1; n = 1, 2; n = 2, 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of B(OMe)₃ with a series of triethanolateamines such as [(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n]³⁻ (n = 0, L1; n = 1, L2; n = 2, L3), where the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to the OH functionality varied from 3 (L1H₃) to 2 (L2H₃) to 1 (L3H₃). These boratranes 1-3 have been characterized by solution ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹¹B NMR, and the crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.