This invention relates to the use of base-labile protecting groups for stepwise synthesis of polymers including oligomers. One or more monomers that have a base-labile protecting group at one end and a leaving group at the other are used in synthetic cycles comprising deprotection under stronger basic conditions to remove the base-labile protecting group, and coupling with a monomer under weaker basic conditions to elongate the polymer without premature deprotection of the base-labile protecting group. Advantages of the invention include the possibility to shorten the synthetic cycle from three steps in prior art methods to two steps, more efficient deprotection, more efficient coupling, and the use of less harmful and less expensive chemicals. One of the goals for stepwise polymer synthesis is to prepare monodisperse and sequence-defined polymers.

The present disclosure discloses a fluoroalkyl glycerin derivative usable as an excellent surfactant by having functional groups and the number of carbon atoms controlled in the molecular structure, and its use as a surfactant. A fluoroalkyl glycerin derivative according to the present disclosure is used as a fluorine-based nonionic surfactant, and replaces existing fluoro compounds as well as having excellent surfactant properties compared to existing surfactants having a linear alkyl 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.

The present invention provides for an amphiphilic molecule having a profluorinated alkyl-methyloligoethyleneoxide structure. The present invention also provides for an electrolyte composition comprising an amphiphilic molecule of the present invention, an electrolyte solvent, and a lithium salt.

A fluorine-containing ether compound according to the present invention is expressed by the following formula (1) or the following formula (2):

Q.sup.1{—(R.sup.f12).sub.m2—O—(R.sup.f11O).sub.m1-A.sup.1}.sub.n1  Formula (1)

{A.sup.1-(OR.sup.f11).sub.m1—O—(R.sup.f12).sub.m2-}.sub.n2Q.sup.2-[(R.sup.f12).sub.m2—O—(R.sup.f11O).sub.m1—(R.sup.f12).sub.m2-Q.sup.3].sub.p—(R.sup.f12).sub.m2—O—(R.sup.f11O).sub.m1—(R.sup.f12).sub.m2-Q.sup.2-{(R.sup.f12).sub.m2—O—(R.sup.f11O).sub.m1-A.sup.1}.sub.n2  Formula (2),

wherein Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2, Q.sup.3, R.sup.f11, R.sup.f12, A.sup.1, n1, n2, m1, m2, and p are as described in the specification.

To provide a method for producing a fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyfluoroalkylene) chain and a sulfonate group with low impurity content and in high yield.

A method for producing a fluorinated ether compound, comprising step 1 of sulfonylating a fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyfluoroalkylene) chain and a hydroxy group in the presence of a fluorinated solvent, a base and a sulfonylating agent to obtain a product containing a fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyfluoroalkylene) chain and a sulfonate group, and step 2 of contacting the product obtained in step 1 with an adsorbent having a pH of at most 8.0.

Described herein is method of making a halogenated partially fluorinated compound, comprising: (a) providing a compound having the following structure of formula (I): R.sub.f—CF═CXY wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; wherein R.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms; (b) contacting the compound with at least one of (i) an iodine or bromine containing salt in the presence of an acid; and (ii) aqueous solution of HZ wherein Z is selected from I and Br to form the halogenated partially fluorinated compound of the formula (II): R′.sub.f—CFH—CXYZ wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; Z is selected from I and Br; and R′.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Described herein is method of making a halogenated partially fluorinated compound, comprising: (a) providing a compound having the following structure of formula (I): R.sub.f—CF═CXY wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; wherein R.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms; (b) contacting the compound with at least one of (i) an iodine or bromine containing salt in the presence of an acid; and (ii) aqueous solution of HZ wherein Z is selected from I and Br to form the halogenated partially fluorinated compound of the formula (II): R′.sub.f—CFH—CXYZ wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; Z is selected from I and Br; and R′.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Described herein are three methods for making halogenated fluorinated ether-containing compounds using a fluorinated olefin or hexafluoropropylene oxide.

Described herein are three methods for making halogenated fluorinated ether-containing compounds using a fluorinated olefin or hexafluoropropylene oxide.