A fluorine-containing ether compound according to the present invention is a fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following General Formula (1). ##STR00001##

A fluorine-containing ether compound according to the present invention is a fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following General Formula (1). ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers characterized by high molecular weight and high functionality, to a process for their manufacture and to their use as intermediate compounds in the preparation of further polymers.

The present invention relates to novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers characterized by high molecular weight and high functionality, to a process for their manufacture and to their use as intermediate compounds in the preparation of further polymers.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance, light resistance and chemical resistance, an article having a surface layer, and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound represented by A-O—(R.sup.f1O).sub.m—R.sup.f2-Z.sup.1-Q.sup.1 (R.sup.1).sub.b, wherein A is a C.sub.1-20 perfluoroalkyl group, R.sup.f1 is a linear fluoroalkylene group, m is an integer of from 2 to 500, R.sup.f2 is a linear fluoroalkylene group, Z.sup.1 is a single bond, —(CR.sup.2R.sup.3).sub.c— (wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-6 monovalent organic group or the like, and c is an integer of from 1 to 10), a specific bond or a bivalent organic group having a specific bond, Q.sup.1 is a group having a (b+1) valent ring, R.sup.1 is a monovalent organic group having at least one hydrolyzable silyl group, and b is an integer of at least 2.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance, light resistance and chemical resistance, an article having a surface layer, and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound represented by A-O—(R.sup.f1O).sub.m—R.sup.f2-Z.sup.1-Q.sup.1 (R.sup.1).sub.b, wherein A is a C.sub.1-20 perfluoroalkyl group, R.sup.f1 is a linear fluoroalkylene group, m is an integer of from 2 to 500, R.sup.f2 is a linear fluoroalkylene group, Z.sup.1 is a single bond, —(CR.sup.2R.sup.3).sub.c— (wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-6 monovalent organic group or the like, and c is an integer of from 1 to 10), a specific bond or a bivalent organic group having a specific bond, Q.sup.1 is a group having a (b+1) valent ring, R.sup.1 is a monovalent organic group having at least one hydrolyzable silyl group, and b is an integer of at least 2.

A hydrophilic polymer derivative having a cyclic benzylidene acetal linker represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituent or a hydrogen atom; X.sup.1 is a chemically reactive functional group; P is a hydrophilic polymer; s is 1 or 2, t is 0 or 1, and s+t is 1 or 2; w is an integer of 1 to 8; and Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently a selected divalent spacer.

A hydrophilic polymer derivative having a cyclic benzylidene acetal linker represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituent or a hydrogen atom; X.sup.1 is a chemically reactive functional group; P is a hydrophilic polymer; s is 1 or 2, t is 0 or 1, and s+t is 1 or 2; w is an integer of 1 to 8; and Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently a selected divalent spacer.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an organic fluorine compound is represented by a general formula
(R-π-E-CH.sub.2-A-CH.sub.2-E′).sub.n-π′-G  (1B) (where n is an integer of 2 to 5, A is a divalent perfluoropolyether group, π is an arylene group or a single bond, R is an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, and E and E′ are each independently an ether bond or an ester bond or a group that is represented by a chemical formula
—O—CH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2O—
π′ is a group in which n+1 hydrogen atoms are separated from benzene, G is an organic group containing a fullerene skeleton, the n number of groups each of which is represented by a general formula
R-π-E-CH.sub.2-A-CH.sub.2-E′-
may be the same or different, and at least one π among the n number of π is an arylene group).

According to one aspect of the present invention, an organic fluorine compound is represented by a general formula
(R-π-E-CH.sub.2-A-CH.sub.2-E′).sub.n-π′-G  (1B) (where n is an integer of 2 to 5, A is a divalent perfluoropolyether group, π is an arylene group or a single bond, R is an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group, and E and E′ are each independently an ether bond or an ester bond or a group that is represented by a chemical formula
—O—CH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2O—
π′ is a group in which n+1 hydrogen atoms are separated from benzene, G is an organic group containing a fullerene skeleton, the n number of groups each of which is represented by a general formula
R-π-E-CH.sub.2-A-CH.sub.2-E′-
may be the same or different, and at least one π among the n number of π is an arylene group).