A wetting agent according to Formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from a branched alkyl group or linear alkyl group or a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group, each having 6 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.3 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.5 is selected from methyl or ethyl; x ranges from 0 to 5; y ranges from 0 to 10; z ranges from 1 to 10; with the proviso that when x ranges from 1 to 5, R.sup.2 is different from R.sup.3; and with the proviso that when x=0, R.sup.3 is different from R.sup.4. The wetting agent also imparts anti-foam properties to aqueous solutions while reducing surface tension.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance; a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid containing the fluorinated ether compound; an article having a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a unit (α) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and a unit (β) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having at most 4 carbon atoms, and having at least one of a hydrolysable silyl group and a silanol group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain via a linking group.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance; a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid containing the fluorinated ether compound; an article having a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a unit (α) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and a unit (β) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having at most 4 carbon atoms, and having at least one of a hydrolysable silyl group and a silanol group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain via a linking group.

Provided are a fluorine-containing ether compound that can form a surface layer that excels in durability and a method of manufacturing the same, a fluorine-containing ether composition and a coating liquid, and an article having a surface layer that excels in durability and a method of manufacturing the same. A fluorine-containing ether compound is expressed by the following formula (A1) or (A2):

{R.sup.fO—(R.sup.f1O).sub.m1—(R.sup.1).sub.m2—(CHF).sub.m3—O—(CHF).sub.m4}.sub.n1-Q.sup.1(-T.sup.1).sub.n2   Formula (A1)

(T.sup.2).sub.n3-Q.sup.2-(CHF).sub.m5—O—(CHF).sub.m6—(R.sup.2).sub.m7—O—(R.sup.f2O).sub.m8—(R.sup.3).sub.m9—(CHF).sub.m10—O—(CHF).sub.m11-Q.sup.3(-T.sup.3).sub.n4  Formula (A2), in the above, the symbols in the formulas are as described in the specification.

A curable composition contains (A) a perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing silane compound having two or more Si atoms bonded to at least one group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group and a hydrolyzable group, (B) a compound (other than (A)) having at least two OR.sup.2 groups bonded to an Si atom (in the formula, R.sup.2 each independently are a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group at each occurrence) or a partial hydrolysis condensate thereof, (C) a condensation catalyst, and (D) surface-treated silica.

A surface treatment agent that comprises a fluoropolyether-group-containing polymer represented by general formula (1), which has a hydroxylated silyl group or a hydrolyzable silyl group, and/or a product of partial (hydrolytic) condensation of the polymer. The surface treatment agent is capable of forming cured coating films which are excellent in terms of water and oil repellency and resistance to wear by steel wool and have a small water-sliding angle.

Rf—[CH(V).sub.2].sub.α  Formula (1):

(In the formula, Rf is a mono- or divalent residue of a polymer including a fluorooxyalkylene group, the V moieties each independently are a monovalent group having a hydroxylated silyl group or hydrolyzable silyl group at the end and having no polar group besides the hydroxylated silyl group or hydrolyzable silyl group, and α is 1 or 2.)

A surface treatment agent that comprises a fluoropolyether-group-containing polymer represented by general formula (1), which has a hydroxylated silyl group or a hydrolyzable silyl group, and/or a product of partial (hydrolytic) condensation of the polymer. The surface treatment agent is capable of forming cured coating films which are excellent in terms of water and oil repellency and resistance to wear by steel wool and have a small water-sliding angle.

Rf—[CH(V).sub.2].sub.α  Formula (1):

(In the formula, Rf is a mono- or divalent residue of a polymer including a fluorooxyalkylene group, the V moieties each independently are a monovalent group having a hydroxylated silyl group or hydrolyzable silyl group at the end and having no polar group besides the hydroxylated silyl group or hydrolyzable silyl group, and α is 1 or 2.)

This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be used in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.

This invention provides a polymer, which is preferably a polyether polymer. The polymer may be used in coating compositions. Containers and other articles comprising the polymer and methods of making such containers and other articles are also provided. The invention further provides compositions including the polymer (e.g., powder coatings), which have utility in a variety of coating end uses, including, for example, valve and pipe coatings.

A curable composition including a fluorine-containing silane compound having two or more Si atoms each bonding to at least one group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group and a hydrolyzable group, an organosilicon compound having at least two —O—R.sup.g3(s) each bonding to a Si atom, wherein each R.sup.g3, at each occurrence, independently represents a hydrogen atom or monovalent organic group, and a metal-based catalyst represented by M(-O—R.sup.h).sub.η, wherein: M represents a metal atom; each R.sup.h, at each occurrence, independently represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and η is the coordination number of M.