Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Uses of Molecular Fluorocarbon-Hydrocarbon Diblocks, Triblocks, and Related Compounds-Unique "Apblar" Components for Self-Assembled Colloid and Interface Engineering

The information regarding synthesis, structure, properties, and potential uses of fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon (FnHm) diblocks and related compounds, and self-assembled colloids and interfaces involving such compounds, is provided. The unique properties of FnHm diblocks are essentially determined by the forced covalent pairing of antipathetic F-chains and H-chains, resulting in an amphiphilic molecule. Terminally unsaturated diblocks are obtained from the iodinated diblocks by dehydrohalogenation with a strong base. The surface tension of neat liquid FnHm diblocks decreases when the weight of the F-chain is increased in the FnH(12-n) series and leveled off at 17.8 mN m-1 at 25°C. F12H2 behaves similar to F-n-alkanes at ambient temperature, adopting a hexagonal packing in a rhombohedral unit cell.