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     

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.     

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     

Synthesis and characterization of functional fluorinated telomers

The synthesis and characterizations of fluorinated telomers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) by iodine transfer polymerization (ITP) are presented. These telomers were prepared in the presence of ω‐iodoperfluorinated functional chain transfer agents, C₆F₁₃I or C₄F₉I. ITPs were initiated by thermal decomposition of bis(4‐tert‐butylcyclohexyl) peroxydicarbonate (BBCHPDC), in solution (in the presence of acetonitrile). The obtained telomers were characterized by different analyses such as elemental analyses, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and finally by thermal analyses such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyses. These technical analyses enabled one to assess their chemical structures, various thermal properties, and their crystalline forms. The assignments of the characteristic signals obtained by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy enabled one to calculate the average degrees of polymerization (DPn) and percentages of ? CH₂CF₂I end group functionalities that depend on the initiator and the fractionation process after reaction. A good control of polymerization was shown by the absence of reversed ? CH₂CF₂? CF₂CH₂? (VDF–VDF dyads) and narrow polydispersity indices (<1.2). The XRD and DSC evidenced the influence of the chain length of the telomers on the crystallinity rate (>70%) and indicated two crystalline forms, α and β, that depended on DPn values. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

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.     

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.     

Kinetics of radical telomerization of vinylidene fluoride in the presence of CCl3Z chain transfer agents

The kinetics of radical telomerization of VDF at 141 °C, initiated by ditertbutylperoxide, in the presence of three chain transfer agents (CTAs), HCCl₃, CCl₄ and CCl₃Br, are presented. The values of the chain transfer constants were assessed as 35, 0.25 and 0.06 at 141 °C for CCl₃Br, CCl₄ and HCCl₃, respectively. The values of the degree of polymerization (DP_n) were obtained for each CTA and were compared for the same CTA concentration. Hence, CCl₃Br behaved as an efficient CTA towards VDF and usually afforded the monoadduct selectively, but in certain conditions the VDF diadduct can also be produced. In contrast, HCCl₃ was not so efficient since a polymeric structure was identified as the major product.     

Radiation telomerization of tetrafluoroethylene in tetrahydrofuran

According to DSC, DTG, and GPC data, H(CF₂CF₂)nC₄H₇O telomers with a chain length of n = 1−4 and T _b ≈ 170−200°C were formed during the radiolysis of a binary mixture of tetrafluoroethylene + tetrahydrofuran in a molar ratio of (0.37–2)/1 between the reactants at room temperature. IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations demonstrated that telomerization occurred with chain transfer through the α-hydrogen of the furan ring.     

Perfluoro- ω -iodo-3-oxaalkanesulfonyl fluorides as intermediates for surfactants and vinyl compounds

The well known fluorosulfonyldifluoroacetyl fluoride (I), FOCCF₂SO₂F (I) quantitatively formed from sulfur trioxide and TFE through the tetrafluoroethanesultone has been converted into the octafluoro- -5-iodo-3-oxapentanesulfonyl fluoride (II) ICF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₂SO₂F (II) by the well known reaction (1) involving MF, iodine, TFE in aprotic solvents.The iodo compound (II) allowed us to obtain TFE telomers having both fluorosulfonyl and iodo as terminal groups.The said telomers have been easily converted into surfactants (III) through fluorination and vinyl derivatives (IV) by dehalogenation.CF₃CF₂(CF₂CF₂)_nOCF₂CF₂SO₃M (III)CF₂CF(CF₂CF₂)_nOCF₂CF₂SO₂F (IV)     

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     

Recent advances on synthesis of potentially non-bioaccumulable fluorinated surfactants

Fluorinated surfactants are exceptional compounds that have found many applications in everyday life. This review focuses on severe issues on the toxicity, persistency and bioaccumulation of these halogenated products, especially perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the half-lives of which are several years in human serum. After an introduction on their productions, uses and hazards, this minireview updates non-exhaustive recent strategies of synthesis of original fluorosurfactants that may be potentially non-bioaccumulable. These routes have been devoted on: (i) the preparation of CF₃-X-(CH₂)_n-SO₃Na (with X = O, C₆H₄O or N(CF₃) and n = 8–12), (ii) the use of fluorinated polyethers (achieved either by oligomerization of hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) or by ring opening cationic oligomerization of fluorinated oxetanes; (iii) the telomerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with 1-iodoperfluoralkanes 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 to prepare (CF₃)₂CF(TFP)_x-R_H, and (v) the radical cotelomerization of VDF and TFP, or their controlled radical copolymerization in the presence of either (CF₃)₂CFI or a fluorinated xanthate. In most cases, the surface tensions versus the surfactant concentrations have been assessed. These above pathways led to various highly fluorinated (but yet not perfluorinated) telomers or cooligomers, the chemical changes of which enabled to obtain original surfactants as novel alternatives to PFOA, ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO), or PFOS regarded as the PCBs of the XXIst century.     

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     

Telomerisation par catalyse redox—V: Telomerisation du chlorotrifluoroethylene avec le bromotrichloromethane par catalyse redox

Telomerization of chlorotrifluoroethylene with bromotrichloromethane as telogen led to Cl₃C(CF₂CFCl)_nBr telomers, the structure of which was characterized by chemical transformation of the end-groups. The redox catalysts used were copper and iron compounds. The formation of CCl₄, CCl₂ Br₂ and various other by-products has been investigated; this study made it possible to define the conditions for a selective telomerization.     

Probing the effect of anion structure on the physical properties of cationic 1,2,3‐triazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)s

To extensively explore the influence of anion structure on the physical properties of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) a series of PILs having main‐chain 1,2,3‐triazolium cations was synthesized via copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) followed by N‐alkylation with iodomethane and anion metathesis with different metal salts, that is, Li(CF₃SO₂)₂N, Li(CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N, K(FSO₂)₂N, K(CF₃SO₂)N(CN), Ag(CN)₂N, and sodium 4,5‐dicyano‐1,2,3‐triazolate. To isolate the effect of anion on physical properties of PILs, a common iodide precursor was used to maintain constant the average degree of polymerization (DP_n) and chain dispersity. Detailed structure/properties relationship analyses demonstrated a lack of correlation between anion chemical structure, ionic conductivity, and glass transition temperatures. Among synthesized series, the PIL derivative having bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide counter anion showed the best compromise in performance: low glass transition temperature (T_g = ?68 °C), high thermal stability (T_onset = 340 °C) and superior ionic conductivity (σ_DC = 8.5 × 10^{? 6} S/cm at 30 °C), which makes it an interesting candidate for various key modern electrochemical applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2191–2199     

Telomerisation par catalyse redox (VII) synthese et transformation chimique des telomeres du chlorotrifluoroethylene et du 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluoroethane

The isomerization of 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane to 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluoroethane by use of AlCl₃ was realized. The telomerization of CF₃CCl₃ with chlorotrifluoroethylene by redox catalyst leads to new telomers with a CF₃ end-group. The oleum hydrolysis of the other chain-end leads to the synthesis of chlorofluorinated monoacids. The surface tensions of all the products were studied.     

Synthesis of block cotelomers involving a perfluorinated chain and a hydrophilic chain. III. Synthesis and use of fluorinated telogens with a trichloromethyl end group

The addition by redox catalysis (CuCl or FeCl₃ with benzoin) of CCl₄ and CCl₃? CF₂? CCl₃ on pentafluorostyrene and on fluorinated allyl ether, C₆F₁₃? C₂H₄? O? CH₂? CH?CH₂ was performed. The monoaddition compounds were mainly obtained with satisfactory yields and characterized by NMR (¹³C, ¹H, and ¹⁹F). These compounds were then used as telogens in telomerization by redox catalysis of acrylamide, methyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid and in radical-initiated telomerization of N-vinyl-pyrrolidone. The chain lengths of the hydrocarbonated sequences were determined from fluorine elemental analysis. A critical investigation of correlations between DP _n and concentrations of products involved was made.     

Determination of the cumulative degree of polymerization for the dead‐end polymerization of styrene

This article explores the use of a new relation correcting theoretical (DPn ) with experimental values obtained in the dead‐end polymerization of styrene with azocompound. The syntheses were realized for several starting initiator‐to‐monomer ratios (C₀'s); values comprised between 10 and 0.1%, and the experimental (DPn ) were obtained by size exclusion chromatography. Concerning the theoretical (DPn ), a new relation is proposed considering the loss of initiating radicals [I · ] used in primary termination and both stationary states of I · and M · (macromolecular radicals) introduced as Bamford. Finally, (DPn )_cum, previously defined by us, is introduced to consider the monomer conversion during oligomerization. Our relation fit very well in a large range of C₀'s, contrary to the application of the usual Mayo rule, and a discussion of validity is proposed. Our model also allows the prediction of (DPn )_cum in a large range of telechelic oligomers from 10 to 150. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 236–247, 2003     

Telomeres photoreticulables—2. Synthese de telomeres photoreticulables a partir des hydroxy-2-ethyl acrylate et methacrylate et des β-cinnamoyl oxy ethyl acrylate et methacrylate

Photocrosslinkable telomers based on cinnamoyl derivatives of polyacrylates and methacrylates can be prepared either by reaction of cinnamoyl chloride with telomers of hydroxy-2-ethyl acrylate and methacrylate, or by direct telomerisation of β-cinnamoylethyl acrylate and methacrylate. The first method gives products containing at least 70% of the theoretical maximum olefinic unsaturation but with low $\text{DP}$_n [1–20]; the second method gives telomers of high $\text{DP}$_n with the maximum number of cinnamoyl side-chains.     

Studies on sulfinatodehalogenation: XVII. The sulfinatodehalogenation of primary perfluoroalkyl iodides and bromides by Rongalite

Using acetonitrile or DMF as cosolvent, both perfluoroalkyl iodides such as Cl(CF₂)_nI (n = 4,6,8, la—lc ), CF₃ (CF₂)_n I (n = 5,6,7, ld—lf ), I (CF₂)_n O (CF₂) SO₃ Na(n = 2,4,6, lg—li ) and perfluoroalkyl bromides such as Cl (CF₂)_n Br (n = 4,6, 3a—3b ) and C₇F₁₅ Br (3e) reacted with Rongalite in aqueous solution to give the corresponding sulfinates Cl (CF₂)_n SO₂ Na (n = 4,6,8, 2a—2c ), CF₃-(CF₂)_nSO₂Na (n = 5,6,7, 2d—2f ) and NaO₂S(CF₂)_nO(CF₂)₂SO₃Na (n = 2,4,6, 2g—2i ) in moderate yields. 1 H-perfluoroalkanes were formed as the main products when other solvents such as ethanol. iso-propanol, 1,4-dioxane and morpholine were used.     

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.