Synthesis and application of fluorinated epoxy compounds

A novel fluorinated epoxy compound (FO) is synthesised via one-step method using potassium and sodium aqueous solutions as catalysts. The structure is characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electro spray ionisation-mass spectrometry. The effects of the reaction time and catalysts are measured. The results show that using sodium aqueous solutions can improve FO yield, and the optimal reaction time is 5 hours. Using FO as monomers, we obtain a new fluorinated polyether glycol with fluorinated side chain (FPO). The number-average molecular weight (Mn) of FPO is investigated. We find that the increase in Mn depends on the FO concentration; mixed solvent (dichloromethane/toluene) can have an impact on the number-average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Polymers with lower polydispersities lead to a decrease in the polymerisation reaction rate because toluene can decrease the FO activity.