Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated telomers containing vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene from 1,6‐diiodoperfluorohexane

The synthesis of original fluorinated (co)telomers containing vinylidene fluoride (VDF) or VDF and hexafluoropropene (HFP) was achieved by radical telomerizations and (co)telomerizations of VDF (or VDF and HFP) in the presence of 1, 6‐diiodoperfluorohexane via a semisuspension process. tert‐Butyl peroxypivalate (TBPPi) was used as an efficient thermal initiator. The numbers of VDF and VDF/HFP base units in the (co)telomers were determined by ¹⁹F and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. They ranged from 10 to 190 VDF base units. Fluorinated telomers of various molecular weights (1200–12,600 g/mol) were obtained by the alteration of the initial [1,6‐diiodoperfluorohexane]₀/[fluoroalkenes]₀ and [TBPPi]₀/[fluoroalkenes]₀ molar ratios. The thermal properties of these fluorinated (co)telomers, such as the glass‐transition temperature and melting temperature, were examined. As expected, these telomers exhibited good thermal stability. They were stable at least up to 350 °C. The compounds containing more than 30 VDF units were crystalline, whereas all those containing VDF‐co‐HFP were amorphous with elastomeric properties, whatever the number was of the fluorinated base units. The structures of I–(VDF)_n–R_F–(VDF)_m–I and I–(HFP)_x(VDF)_n–R_F–(VDF)_m(HFP)_y–I (co)telomers were obtained, and the defects of the VDF chain and the ? CH₂CF₂I and ? CF₂CH₂I functionalities were studied successfully (where R_F = C₆F₁₂). The functionality in the iodine atoms was modified: the higher the VDF content in the telomers, the lower the normal end functionality (? CH₂CF₂I) and the higher the reversed extremity (? CF₂CH₂I). In addition, the percentage of defects increased when the number of VDF units increased. The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of different telomers and cotelomers were also studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1470–1485, 2006     

Kinetics of the iodine transfer polymerization of vinylidene fluoride

The kinetics of the iodine transfer polymerization (ITP) of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) was achieved in the presence of three different chain‐transfer agents (CTAs): 1‐iodoperfluorohexane (C₆F₁₃I), 1‐iodo‐2H,2H‐perfluorooctane (C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂I), and 1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoro‐3‐iodopropane (HCF₂CF₂CH₂I). ITPs of VDF carried out in the presence of C₆F₁₃I and C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂I showed the following: (1) a linear increase in DP_n versus α_VDF, which evidenced the controlled character of ITP, although the polydispersity indices were slightly high (ca 1.5), and (2) theoretical DP_n values close to the targeted ones. In contrast, neither of these statements was observed for the ITP of VDF in the presence of HCF₂CF₂CH₂I achieved under the same conditions, even if the synthesized oligomers could be reactivated. Although the C_Tr values of C₆F₁₃I and C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂I were close (i.e., 7.7 at 75 °C), that of HCF₂CF₂CH₂I was lower (0.3 at 75 °C). The percentages of ? CF₂I and ? CH₂I functionalities were also assessed, and in the course of the reaction, a reduction of ? CF₂I end groups was noted. Then, the mechanism of the ITP of VDF was proposed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5763–5777, 2006     

Telomerization of vinylidene fluoride with alkyl (or aryl) trifluoromethanethiosulfonates

The photochemical‐induced telomerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with cyclohexyl (or phenyl) trifluoromethanethiosulfonate (CF₃SO₂SR), leading to CF₃(VDF)_nSR telomers, where R stands for cyclohexyl or phenyl, is presented. These sulfurated transfer agents were synthesized by the reaction between sodium triflinate (CF₃SO₂Na) and disulfide in the presence of bromine. ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy enabled an assessment of the average degrees of telomerization (DP_n) of these telomers with a neat CF₃ end group as the label. These DP_n values increased for higher [VDF]₀/[CF₃SO₂SR]₀ initial molar ratios. Interestingly, the normal/reversed ratio of VDF units in these telomers was low. Finally, the cotelomerization of VDF and hexafluoropropylene with these transfer agents was successfully achieved, leading to original ω‐CF₃ fluoroelastomers, the thermal properties of which were investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4538–4549, 2002     

Synthesis of poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐b‐poly(styrene sulfonate) block copolymers by controlled radical polymerizations

Block copolymers based on poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and a series of poly(aromatic sulfonate) sequences were synthesized from controlled radical polymerizations (CRPs). According to the aromatic monomers, appropriate techniques of CRP were chosen: either iodine transfer polymerization (ITP) or atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from PVDF‐I macromolecular chain transfer agents (CTAs) or PVDF‐CCl₃ macroinitiator, respectively. These precursors were produced either by ITP of VDF with C₆F₁₃I or by radical telomerization of VDF with chloroform, respectively. Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐b‐poly(sodium styrene sulfonate), PVDF‐b‐PSSS, block copolymers were produced from both techniques via a direct polymerization of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) monomer or an indirect way with the use of styrene sulfonate ethyl ester (SSE) as a protected monomer. Although the reaction led to block copolymers, the kinetics of ITP of SSS showed that PVDF‐I macromolecular CTAs were not totally efficient because a limitation of the CTA consumption (56%) was observed. This was probably explained by both the low activity of the CTA (that contained inefficient PVDF‐CF₂CH₂? I) and a fast propagation rate of the monomer. That behavior was also noted in the ITP of SSE. On the other hand, ATRP of SSS initiated by PVDF‐CCl₃ was more controlled up to 50% of conversion leading to PVDF‐b‐PSSS block copolymer with an average number molar mass of 6000 g·mol^?1. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Random and sequential radical cotelomerizations of 3,3,3‐trifluoropropene (H2CCHCF3) with vinylidene fluoride (F2CCH2)

The synthesis of original cotelomers based on 3,3,3‐trifluoropropene (TFP) and vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with a general formula: R_F‐[CH₂? CF₂]_n? [CH₂? CH(CF₃)]_m? I (where n = 1–63, m = 2–640, and R_F = (CF₃)₂CF) was achieved by sequential and random cotelomerizations in the presence of R_FI. The radical cotelomerizations were initiated by thermal decomposition of different peroxide and persulfate initiators either in bulk, in solution (in the presence of acetonitrile or 1,1,1,3,3‐pentafluorobutane as the solvents), and in aqueous process (emulsion). Different adducts were obtained in good yield (50–70 wt %) with a relative proportion of each adduct depending on (i) the R₀ = [R_FI]₀/([TFP]₀+[VDF]₀) initial molar ratio, (ii) the reaction temperature, and (iii) C₀ = [In]₀/([TFP]₀+[VDF]₀). Random cotelomerization gave higher yields than those obtained from the sequential cotelomerization. When the concentration of the chain transfer agent increased, the molecular weights of the resulting poly(VDF‐co‐TFP) cotelomers decreased and showed that the R₀ ratio targeted the molecular weights (～700–66,000 g mol^?1). Some of the obtained molecular weights were exceptionally high for a (co)telomerization. The kinetics of the radical cotelomerization of VDF and TFP led to the determination of the reactivity ratios of both comonomers (r_VDF = 0.28 ± 0.07 and r_TFP = 2.35 ± 0.26 at 75 °C). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3964–3981, 2009     

Novel Source of Trifluoromethyl Radical As Efficient Initiator for the Polymerization of Vinylidene Fluoride

A persistent perfluoroalkyl radical (PPFR), perfluoro‐3‐ethyl‐2,4‐dimethyl‐3‐pentyl, is shown to be a good source of •CF₃ radicals and a useful radical capable of initiating the polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF). NMR characterizations of the resulting PVDF homopolymers showed that polymerization of VDF was exclusively initiated by •CF₃ radicals. The addition of •CF₃ radical onto VDF was regioselective leading to CF₃‐CH₂‐CF₂‐PVDF and the CF₃ end‐group acted as an efficient label to assess the molecular weights by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. Various [PPFR]₀/[VDF]₀ initial molar ratios lead to CF₃–PVDF–CF₃ of different molecular weights. When that ratio decreased, both the molecular weights and the thermostability of these PVDFs increased, showing less defects of chaining and higher crystallinity.     

Iodine transfer copolymerization of vinylidene fluoride and α‐trifluoromethacrylic acid in emulsion process without any surfactants

The synthesis of poly(VDF‐co‐TFMA) copolymers (where VDF and TFMA stand for vinylidene fluoride and α‐trifluoromethacrylic acid, respectively) by iodine transfer polymerization without any surfactant is presented. First, the synthesis and the control of the copolymerization of VDF and TFMA were investigated in the presence of two chain transfer agents, 1‐perfluorohexyl iodide (C₆F₁₃I) and 1,4‐diodoperfluorobutane (IC₄F₈I). TFMA monomer was incorporated in the copolymer in good yields. Moreover, the molecular weights of the resulting poly(VDF‐co‐TFMA) copolymers were in good agreement with the theoretical values for feed of TFMA/VDF ratios that ranged from 50/50 to 0/100 mol %, showing that TFMA does not disturb the controlled radical polymerization of VDF. The microstructures of the produced copolymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR to assess the amount of each comonomer, and the molecular weights and the end‐groups of the copolymers. The results on the control of the copolymerization were compared to those obtained with and without the presences of TFMA and surfactant. The addition of a low amount of TFMA improved the control of the polymerization of VDF without using any surfactant. Also, the size of particles, assessed by light scattering, was smaller than 200 nm. The addition of TFMA in low proportions, that is, 5 to 10 mol %, enabled us to stabilize the particle size and to decrease the size by one order of magnitude. The emulsifying behavior of TFMA (in low amount in the copolymer, that is, <10 mol %) was similar to those achieved when a surfactant was added. Indeed, neither sedimentation nor destabilization was observed after several days. The reactivity ratios for r_TFMA and r_VDF were 0 and 1.6 at 80 °C, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4710–4722, 2009     

Original fluorinated surfactants potentially non-bioaccumulable

This minireview updates non-exhaustive recent strategies of synthesis of original fluorosurfactants potentially non-bioaccumulable. Various strategies have been focused on (i) the preparation of CF₃–X–(CH₂)_n–SO₃Na (with X = O, C₆H₄O or N(CF₃) and n = 8–12), (ii) the oligomerization of hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) to further synthesize oligo(HFPO)–CF(CF₃)CO–R_H (where R_H stands for an hydrophilic chain); (iii) the telomerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with 1-iodopentafluoroethane or 1-iodononafluorobutane to produce C_nF_2n+1–(VDF)₂–CH₂CO₂R (n = 2 or 4, R = H or NH₄), (iv) the radical telomerization of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (TFP) with isoperfluoropropyliodide or diethyl hydrogenophosphonate to prepare (CF₃)₂CF(TFP)_x–R_H or CF₃–CH₂–CH₂–(TFP)_y–P(O)(OH)₂, and (v) the radical cotelomerization of VDF and TFP, or their controlled radical copolymerization in the presence of (CF₃)₂CFI or a fluorinated xanthate. In most cases, the surface tensions versus the surfactant concentrations have been assessed. These above strategies led to various highly fluorinated (but yet not perfluorinated) telomers whose chemical changes enabled to obtain original surfactants as novel alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO), or perfluorooctylsulfonic acid (PFOS) regarded as bioaccumulable, persistent, and toxic.     

Fluorosilicone elastomer based on the poly[(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)methyl‐siloxane‐co‐(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)methylsiloxane]

Fluorosilicone elastomer based on the poly[(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)methylsiloxane‐co‐(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)methylsiloxane] was studied. First, the synthesis of fluorosilicone polymer based on the poly[(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)methylsiloxane] (PNFHMS) was examined by the polymerization of 1,3,5‐tris(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)‐1,3,5‐trimethylcyclotrisiloxane (C₄F₉D3) by sodium hydroxide. On the contrast of the polymerization of the commercially available 1,3,5‐tris(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)‐1,3,5‐trimethylcyclotrisiloxane (CF₃D3), the polymerization of C₄F₉D3 with sodium hydroxide resulted in the formation of 1,3,5,7‐tetrakis(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)‐1,3,­5,7‐tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane : [C₄F₉CH₂CH₂(CH₃)SiO]₄ (C₄F₉D4) as the major product. It was due to the easy occurrence of the depolymerization by the back‐biting mechanism, because C₄F₉D4 is more stable ­than 1,3,5,7‐tetrakis(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)‐1,3,5,7‐tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane : [CF₃CH₂CH₂(CH₃)SiO]₄ (CF₃D4). The above result made us to conclude that it was difficult to apply the polymer based on PNFHMS to heat vulcanizable elastomers and to investigate the elastomer based on the poly[(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)methylsiloxane‐co‐(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐nonafluorohexyl)methylsiloxane]. C₄F₉D3 and CF₃D3 were co‐polymerized successfully by sodium hydroxide and formulated with the silica treated by CF₃D3. The use of silica treated with methylsilyl unit failed, because creep‐hardening phenomenon occurred. This elastomer was evaluated about some mechanical properties, and the resistance to organic solvents, and a fuel. The advantage that can be detected from the introduction of [C₄F₉C₂H₄‐(CH₃)SiO] unit was that the resistance to the polar solvents such as acetone and dimethylformamide was improved. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)‐grafted‐poly(acrylonitrile) via single electron transfer–living radical polymerization process

Preparation of functional fluoromaterials through chemical modification of traditional fluoropolymers has been recognized as an economic and convenient strategy to expand the application areas of fluoropolymers. Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)‐grafted‐polyacrylonitrile (P(VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐PAN) has been successfully synthesized via single electron transfer–living radical polymerization (SET–LRP) process initiated with macroinitiator P(VDF‐co‐CTFE) in the presence of trace amount of Cu(0)/tris(2(dimethylamino)ethyl)amine (Me₆‐TREN) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at ambient temperature. The typical side reactions happened on P(VDF‐co‐CTFE) induced by the nitrogen‐containing solvents and high reaction temperature in atom transfer radical polymerization process could be avoided in SET–LRP process by using the mild reaction conditions. Well‐controlled polymerization features were observed under varied reaction conditions including the different reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, as well as monomer amount in feed. An induction period of 0.5–1.0 h in the polymerization procedure was observed at low temperature, which may be attributed to the Cu₂O from the surface of the Cu(0) powder. When Cu(0) catalyst is activated, the introduction period is eliminated. The polymerization rates were decelerated by adding excessive Me₆‐TREN for the formation of more stable CuCl₂/(Me₆‐TREN)₂. The structure of P(VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐PAN was demonstrated by FTIR, NMR, DSC, and TGA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Enthalpies of formation of radicals and the mass spectra of the products of tetrafluoroethylene polymerization in acetone

The mass spectra of the dissociative electron-impact ionization products of telomers formed upon the radiation-chemical telomerization of tetrafluoroethylene in acetone were measured over the range of m/z from 1 to 204. The most intense bands at m/z = 43, 51, and 57 were attributed to the CH₃CO⁺, CF₂H⁺ and CH₃COCH₂⁺ cations—the main dissociation products of the H(C₂F₄) _n CH₂COCH₃ telomers. The telomer composition was consistent with a radical telomerization mechanism, in which chain growth and chain transfer are due to the formation of the CH₃COCH₂^· radical. Based on published data supplemented with quantum-chemical calculations, the enthalpies of formation of the radicals R(CF₂) _n (n = 2–8; R = H, CH₃, CH₃CO, and CH₃COCH₂) were tabulated. The formation of telomers with the same terminal groups is consistent with thermodynamic data and a polymerization mechanism in which the chain growth reaction is diffusion-limited and the chain transfer reaction is activated hydrogen-atom transfer.     

Nickel Fluorocarbene Metathesis with Fluoroalkenes

Alkene metathesis with directly fluorinated alkenes is challenging, limiting its application in the burgeoning field of fluoro‐organic chemistry. A new nickel tris(phosphite) fluoro(trifluoromethyl)carbene complex ([P₃Ni]=CFCF₃) reacts with CF₂=CF₂ (TFE) or CF₂=CH₂ (VDF) to yield both metallacyclobutane and perfluorocarbene metathesis products, [P₃Ni]=CF₂ and CR₂=CFCF₃ (R=F, H). The reaction of [P₃Ni]=CFCF₃ with trifluoroethylene also yields metathesis products, [P₃Ni]=CF₂ and cis/trans‐CFCF₃=CFH. However, unlike reactions with TFE and VDF, this reaction forms metallacyclopropanes and fluoronickel alkenyl species, resulting presumably from instability of the expected metallacyclobutanes. DFT calculations and experimental evidence established that the observed metallacyclobutanes are not intermediates in the formation of the observed metathesis products, thus highlighting a novel variant of the Chauvin mechanism enabled by the disparate four‐coordinate transition states.     

Solubility of vinylidene fluoride polymers in supercritical CO2 and halogenated solvents

The cloud‐point behaviors of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐22 mol % hexafluoropropylene) (VDF–HFP₂₂) are reported at temperatures up to 250 °C and pressures up to 3000 bar in supercritical CO₂, CHF₃, CH₂F₂, CHClF₂, CClF₃, CH₃CHF₂, CH₂FCF₃, CHF₂CF₃, and CH₃CClF₂. The molecular weight of PVDF has a smaller effect on the cloud point than the solvent quality. Cloud‐point pressures for both fluoropolymers decrease as the solvent polarizability, polar moment per molar volume, and density increases. However, it is extremely difficult to dissolve either fluoropolymer in CClF₃, which has a large polarizability and a small dipole moment. CO₂ is an effective solvent because it complexes with the C F dipole at low temperatures where energetic interactions fix the phase behavior. In addition, polymer architecture has a strong impact on the cloud‐point pressure. VDF–HFP₂₂ has lower cloud‐point pressures than PVDF in all solvents because it has a larger free volume that promotes facile interactions between the solvent and the polymer segments. Cloud‐point data are also reported for amorphous poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐x mol % 2,2‐bistrifluoromethyl‐4,5‐difluoro‐1,3‐dioxole) (TFE–PDD_x ; x = 65 and 85) in CO₂. These data provide an interesting comparison to the PVDF–CO₂ and VDF–HFP₂₂–CO₂ systems because TFE–PDD₆₅ and TFE–PDD₈₇ have very high glass‐transition temperatures of 160 and 240 °C, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2832–2840, 2000     

Initiation reactivity of anionic polymerization of fluorinated acrylates and methacrylates with diethyl(ethyl cyanoacetato)aluminum

Pseudo first‐order rate constants of the reaction of diethyl(ethyl cyanoacetato)aluminum [(C₂H₅)₂Al(NCCHCOOC₂H₅)] with 17 fluorinated acrylates and methacrylates and five hydrocarbon analogs for references were investigated to examine the initiation reactivities of the anionic polymerization of fluorinated vinyl monomers to afford the reactivity order: CH₂?C(CF₃)COOC₂H₅ > CH₂?C(CF₃)COOCH(CH₃)₂ > CH₂?CHCOOCH₂C₆F₅ > CH₂?C(CF₃)COOC(CH₃)₃ > CH₂?C(CF₃)COOCH₂C₆F₅ > CH₂?C(CF₃)COOCH(CF₃)₂ ≥ CH₂?CHCOOCH₃ > CH₂?CHCOOCH₂C₆H₅ ≥ CH₂?C(CF₃)COOCH₂CF₃ > CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂C₆F₅ > CH₂?CHCOOCH₂CF₃ > CH₂?CHCOOCH₂C₂F₅ > CH₂?CHCOOCH(CF₃)₂ > CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₃ > CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂C₆H₅ ≥ CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂CH₂C₈F₁₇ > CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH(CH₃)₂ > CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂C₂F₅ ≥ CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂CF₃. No rate constants for CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH(CF₃)₂, CH₂?CFCOOC(CH₃)₃, and CH₂?CFCOOCH₂C₂F₅ were obtained because of too fast polymerization. The incorporation of a trifluoromethyl group into the vinyl group enhanced the reactivity toward the delocalized carbanion. The reactivity of other fluorinated acrylates and methacrylates was concluded to approximately be controlled by the fluorine contents and the bulkiness of substituents of monomers. The reactivity was generally decreased by increasing fluorine contents of fluoroalkyl substituents in ester groups. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7011–7021, 2008     

Fluorinated cotelomers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropene (HFP): Synthesis, dehydrofluorination and grafting by amine containing an aromatic ring

The synthesis of C₆F₁₃CH₂C(CFCFCF₃)N-C₂H₄-C₆H₅ (11) from the addition of H₂N-C₂H₄-C₆H₅ onto C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF₂CFHCF₃ (3) is presented. C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF₂CFHCF₃ (3) and C₆F₁₃CH₂CF₂CF(CF₃)CF₂H (3′) isomers were obtained from the thermal stepwise cotelomerization of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropene with C₆F₁₃I, followed by the selective reduction of the iodine end atom. At 200 °C, the 3/3′ molar ratio reached 9.0. In contrast to selective reduction, dehydrofluorination led to various derivatives, which were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, and hence a reaction pathway could be suggested. The grafting of an amine containing an aromatic ring onto the cotelomers based on VDF and HFP occurred selectively on VDF/HFP diad and, in some instances a further step involving the formation of an imine was observed. The addition of 2-phenylethylamine onto the dehydrofluorinated intermediates was found to be quantitative.     

Gas chromatographic properties of tetrafluoroethylene telomers

The paper describes an investigation of the gas chromatographic properties of tetrafluoroethylene telomers of general formula F(CF₂)_nI, Br(CF₂)_nBr, Br(CF₂)_nI, I(CF₂)_nI and (CF₃)₂CF(CF₂)_nI. The telomers are well resolved on columns with squalene, silicone oil or tritolyl phosphate stationary phases, and relative retention volumes are given for these three columns. The temperature dependence of the relative retention volumes of F(CF₂)_nI and Br(CF₂)_nBr telomers has been investigated. The relative retention volumes are correlated with the telomer boiling points, and with structural features of the telomers.     

Some approaches to the synthesis of fluorine-containing alcohols and esters

Among F-containing alcohols only trifluoroethanol, the so-called ‘telomer alcohols’ [H(CF₂CF₂)_nCH₂OH], and certain esters of 2-(F-alkyl)ethanols and 3-(F-alkyl)propanols, have achieved commercial importance. Their utilization has been limited by lack of suitable methods of synthesis and by their high cost. Yet F-containing alcohols and their esters have unique properties, and comprise a versatile class of compounds. It is to be noted that completely fluorinated esters have recently become available.F-substituted alcohols must be made by special, less well-known methods. Routes based on tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) as starting material are of current interest. F-alkyl iodides (R_FI) are made in two steps from TFE. Reaction of R_FI with ethylene gives 2-(F-alkyl)-1-ethanes, and under suitable conditions, higher telomers in high yield. Displacement of iodine of R_FCH₂CH₂I by an acyloxy group gives an ester, such as acrylate or fumarate of the F-substituted alcohol. Several methods have been discovered for this process, most recently by reaction with N-methylformamide or N,N-dimethylformamide and water. Free radical addition of R_FI to vinyl acetate and subsequent reduction provided 2-(F-alkyl)ethanols in excellent yield. Similar steps using allyl acetate gave both 3-(F-alkyl)-1-propanols and 3-(F-alkyl)-2-propanols; the latter compound also was formed by hydrolysis of the initial adduct. These various methods will be outlined and some recent results in a study of O-alkylation will be presented.Support by the Central Research Group, Ciba-Geigy Corp., Ardsley, N.Y. is gratefully acknowledged.     

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.     

Visible light‐induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylates with perfluoroalkyl iodide as the initiator in conjugation with a photoredox catalyst fac‐[Ir(ppy)]3

A new visible light‐induced controlled radical polymerization of methacrylate with perfluoro‐1‐iodohexane (CF₃(CF₂)₅I) as the initiator in the presence of a photoredox catalyst (fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃]) was developed. Mechanistically, a photoexcited fac‐[Ir(ppy)₃]* complex reacted with dormant C‐I species to generate the chain propagating radical and Ir^IVI complex, which could be reversibly reduced by the propagating radical. The molecular weight (M_n) and the corresponding distribution index (M_w/M_n = 1.4) were controlled in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). For the polymerization of functional monomers, such as glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and trifluoroethyl methacrylate, their monomer conversions could be up to 96 and 94%, respectively. No polymerization reaction took place without external light stimulation, indicating that the system was an ideal photo “on?off” switchable system. Furthermore, a clean diblock copolymer PMMA‐b‐PGMA was successfully synthesized with PMMA‐I as the macroinitiator. With CF₃(CF₂)₅I as the initiator, short CF₃(CF₂)₅? group tags were introduced on the produced polymer chains. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3283–3291     

High‐resolution solid‐state NMR study of the domain structure and molecular motion in drawn films of a vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene copolymer with 73 mol % vinylidene fluoride

The heterogeneous higher order structure and molecular motion in a single crystalline film of a vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE) copolymer with 73 mol % VDF was investigated with the ¹H–¹³C cross‐polarization/magic‐angle spinning NMR technique. A transient oscillation was observed in plots of the ¹³C peak intensity versus the contact time for the CH₂, CHF, and CF₂ groups. On the basis of the extended cross‐relaxation theory of spin diffusion, we determined that the oscillation behavior was caused by the TrFE‐rich segments in the chain and that the crystal consisted of VDF‐rich and TrFE‐rich domains. The former had TrFE‐rich segments in VDF and TrFE fractions of 0.24 and 0.27, respectively, and the latter had VDF‐rich segments in a VDF fraction of 0.49. The spin–lattice relaxation time T_1ρH in the rotating frame for each group was minimal in the three temperature regions of β, α_b, and α_c (↑) on heating and in the two temperature regions of α_1D and α_c (↓) on cooling. The α_c (↑) and α_c (↓) processes depended on the first‐order ferroelectric phase‐transition regions on heating and cooling, respectively. The motional modes for the other processes were confirmed by the T_1ρH minimum behavior of the VDF and TrFE groups in the TrFE‐rich domain and the VDF‐rich segments in the VDF‐rich domain. The β and α_b processes were attributed to the flip–flop motion of the TrFE‐rich segments and the competitive motion of the TrFE‐ and VDF‐rich segments in the ferroelectric phase, respectively. The α_1D process was due to the one‐dimensional diffusion motion of the conformational defects along the chain in the paraelectric phase, accompanied by the trans and gauche transformation of the VDF conformers of ttg⁺tg^? and g⁺tg^?tt. The effect of the competitive motion of the TrFE‐rich segment on the thermal stability of the VDF‐rich segment in the chain near the Curie temperature was examined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1026–1037, 2002