Architecture and applications of novel self-assembled aggregates of fluoroalkyl-end-capped oligomers

Numerous fluoroalkyl-end-capped amphiphilic oligomers were prepared under mild conditions by the use of fluoroalkanoyl peroxides as key intermediates. These fluorinated oligomers were demonstrated to form the molecular assemblies imparted by strong aggregations of the end-capped fluoroalkyl segments in aqueous and organic media. In addition, fluoroalkyl-end-capped oligomers containing betaine segments or hydroxy segments were able to cause gelation, where the synergistic interaction of both the strong aggregation of the end-capped fluoroalkyl segments and the ionic or hydrogen-bonding interaction are involved in establishing a gel network in water and polar organic solvents under non-crosslinked conditions.