Synthesis of α,ω-dimethoxyfluoropolyethers: reaction mechanism and kinetics

A new class of hydrofluoropolyethers, the α,ω-dimethoxyfluoropolyethers (DM-FPEs), characterized by the copolymeric structure CH3O(CF2CF2O)n(CF2O)mCH3 has been recently developed. The synthesis of DM-FPEs here described, has been carried out via a new synthetic route which consists of the reaction of a perfluoropolyether diacyl fluoride with methyl fluoroformate in the presence of a metal fluoride. The reaction products are DM-FPEs and carbon dioxide. l reaction conditions has been tested varying type of solvent, temperature, type and amount of metal fluoride. The best results were obtained using tetraglyme as solvent and CsF as metal fluoride.