A compound having structural formula (II): where R.sup.2 is H, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2H, or CH.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2H; where R.sup.2f is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, optionally comprising either or both of a catenated nitrogen heteroatom and a catenated oxygen heteroatom; where R.sup.2f′ is CF.sub.3 or CF.sub.2CF.sub.3; and where R.sup.2f″ is CF.sub.3 or CF.sub.2CF.sub.3; with the proviso that when R.sup.2f′ is CF.sub.3, then R.sup.2f″ is CF.sub.3, and when R.sup.2 is H or CH.sub.3, then R.sup.2f is not CF.sub.3.

##STR00001##

A compound having structural formula (II): where R.sup.2 is H, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2H, or CH.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2CF.sub.2H; where R.sup.2f is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, optionally comprising either or both of a catenated nitrogen heteroatom and a catenated oxygen heteroatom; where R.sup.2f′ is CF.sub.3 or CF.sub.2CF.sub.3; and where R.sup.2f″ is CF.sub.3 or CF.sub.2CF.sub.3; with the proviso that when R.sup.2f′ is CF.sub.3, then R.sup.2f″ is CF.sub.3, and when R.sup.2 is H or CH.sub.3, then R.sup.2f is not CF.sub.3.

##STR00001##

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A method of etherifying glycols or other diols by employing renewable reagents is disclosed. In particular, the method involves contacting a diol with an alkylating agent in an alcoholic solvent, catalyzed with a catalyst (carbonic acid) generated in situ (from CO.sub.2). The mono- and di-ether products can serve as valued precursors to an array of renewable surfactants, dispersants, and lubricants, among others.