Perfluoropolyethers free from peroxidic oxygen and containing perfluoroepoxy groups positioned along their perfluoropolyether chain

Abstract: Perfluoropolyethers having fluorinated epoxy groups po­ sitioned along their perfluoropolyether chain, and free from peroxidic oxygen, are obtained by means of a low-temperature oxidation process, in the liquid phase, with molecular oxygen and in the presence of U.V. light, of a mixture of a perfluori­ nated monoolefin and a perfluorinated conjugated diene, and by the subsequent photochemical decomposition of the per­ oxy groups contained in the photooxidation product, carried out by treating the peroxy-groups containing product with U.V. light at a temperature of from 0°C to 160°C. Derivatives of said epoxy containing perfluoropolyethers in which the epoxy groups have been converted to functional groups are also dis­ closed.

Description: The present invention relates to (per)fluoropolyethers having fluorinated epoxy groups positioned along their chain, obtained by starting from a mixture of a perfluoroolefin and a perfluorodiene. It is known that in the low-temperature photooxidation of perfluoroolefins (from -30°C to -60°C) with molecular oxygen and in the presence of U.V. light, the primary reaction product is a perfluoropolyether consisting of sequences of oxyperfluoroalkylene units and containing peroxy groups in a variable amount as a function of the reaction conditions. The removal of the peroxy groups in order to obtain stable perfluoropolyethers is carried out thermally by prolonged heating at a high temperature. See US-A-3,715,378 and 3,665,041. It is known from US-A-3,451,907 that perfluorobutadiene, either alone or as a mixture with a perfluoroolefin, when subjected to oxidation with molecular oxygen, at low temperature, in the liquid phase and in the presence of U.V. light, yields polymeric photooxidation products characterized by the contemporaneous presence of peroxy groups, of fluorinated epoxy groups: and of acidic -COF groups. The complete elimination of the peroxy groups from the photoxidation products, carried out thermally according to the known art, consisting in heating at temperatures of at least 200°C for very long times (some hours) causes, necessarily, the contemporaneous decomposition of the epoxy groups, which are mostly converted into acidic -COF groups. Thus, the object of the present invention are novel (per)fluoropolyethers constituted by sequences of oxyperfluoroalkylene units, characterized by the presence, along their (per)fluoropolyether chain, of perfluoroepoxy groups and by the absence of peroxy groups. These products are obtained by means of the photooxidation of a mixture of a perfluoroolefin and of a perfluorinated conjugated diene and subsequent photochemical decomposition of the peroxy groups, or subsequent specific chemical reduction of the peroxy groups as indicated below. As perfluorinated olefins used as the starting products, in particular tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropene are suitable. As the perfluorinated diene, in particular perfluorobutadiene is suitable. In case as starting products C₂F₄ and C₄F₆ are used, a (per)fluoropolyether having the following structure: will be obtained, wherein: R f and R' f are -CF₂COF or -CF₃ end groups at least one of which being -CF₂COF, when the photochemical decomposition of peroxy groups is used, whereas when the chemical reduction of peroxy groups is carried out with HI in an alkanol ROH (R = C₁ - C₆ alkyl), the groups R f , R' f are -CF₂COOR; R f and R' f may also represent -CF₂Br (see below); m , n and p are integers different from zero, the m/n ratio being comprised within the range of from 0.5 to 2, the oxyfluoroalkylene units being randomly distributed along the chain. The ratio ranges from 3 to 40. The molecular weight is preferably comprised within the range of from 500 to 15,000. In case C₃F₆ and C₄F₆ are used, a (per)fluoropolyether of formula: will be obtained, wherein X = F or CF₃, m , n and p are integers different from zero, R' f and R f indicate the end groups above specified. The m/n ratio is comprised within the range of from 5 to 40, and the m/p ratio is comprised within the range of from 2 to 50. The molecular weight is preferably comprised within the range of from 500 to 8.000. If desired, also (per)fluoropolyethers can be prepared, which contain mixtures of a plurality of perfluoroolefins for example C₂F₄ + C₃F₆, and one or more conjugated dienes. The first step of the process consists in the photooxidation, which is substantially carried out according to the known art. The perfluoroolefin + perfluorodiene mixture is dissolved in a suitable inert solvent, in particular a chlorofluoro carbon such as CCl₂F₂; the oxidation is carried out with molecular oxygen in the gas state, at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, preferably of from -60°C to 0°C, and in the presence of U.V. light. The photooxidation product contains peroxy groups and perfluoroepoxy groups. It has surprisingly been found that the peroxy groups can be eliminated, the epoxy groups being left unaltered, by carrying out a photochemical decomposition of said peroxy groups, at a controlled temperature. Suitable conditions for obtaining a product free from peroxy groups, and maintaining unchanged epoxy groups are the use of U.V. light at a wavelength of 248-334 nm, and of temperatures of from 0°C to 160°C, preferably of from 20°C to 50°C. It is also possible to eliminate the peroxy groups through chemical reduction which leaves unaltered the epoxy groups, for example by reacting with HI in an alkanol ROH (R = alkyl C₁ - C₆). The epoxy group frequence in the perfluoropolyether chain is proportional to the diene/monoolefin ratio in the starting mixture. As diolefins besides perfluorobutadiene, also perfluoroisoprene can be mentioned as an example. Further object of the invention is the preparation of dibromoderivatives wherein R f and R' f are -CF₂Br. These compounds are obtained by reacting with bromine in the presence of U.V. radiation (248 - 334 nm) at about 100°C, the photochemical oxidation product containing peroxy and epoxy groups: the bromine is introduced at the place of peroxy groups as described in EP-A-195,946 whereas the epoxy groups remain unchanged. Further object of the invention is the preparation of derivatives of the products above defined, obtained by conversion of the epoxy groups and/or of the end groups R f and R' f in order to obtain polyfunctional derivatives. The derivatives obtained through the conversion of both end groups R f and R' f and also epoxy groups can show all the functional groups of the same type when the epoxy groups are previously converted into or -COOR respectively and -CF₂ COOR (R = alkyl C₁-C₆). Otherwise the functional groups derived from R f and R' f are generally different from those derived from epoxy groups. Said functional groups are those suitable to give polymers by polycondensation or by polyaddition reactions or to act as cross-linking agents for resins or polymeric materials. The polymeric products thus obtained are characterized by the following properties: high thermal stability, low second order transition temperature, water and oil repellency, low refractive index. Said functional groups, obtainable through well known reactions, are the following ones: - CONHR (R = H or alkyl C₁-C₁₂, or cycloalkyl, preferably C₅-C₈); - CN; - CHR'OH (R' = H or -CF₃); -CH₂NH₂; -CF₂OCF = CF₂; -CF₂CF₂-O-CF = CF₂ ; -COCF₃; (Hal = halogen different from F). From the above main functional groups it is possible to obtain many other functional groups through known reactions, for example the functional groups described in US-A-3 810 874; 3 847 978; EP-A-165 649 and 165 650, thus obtaining products having the same uses and being characterized by the properties mentioned above for the polymeric derivatives and also by good lubricant characteristics. It is possible to convert the epoxy group without modification of the end groups R f and R' f , for example through the following reactions. a) Conversion of the epoxy group into a group by thermal treatment at 180 - 200°C with elimination of CF₂ for each epoxy group as gaseous byproduct (in form of C₂F₄; C₃F₆ or higher fluoroolefin) according to the scheme: Starting products can be those of formula I and II with any meaning (also -CF₂Br) for R f and R' f . b) Conversion of the epoxy group into a group by treatment at 50°C with KF in an aprotic polar solvent such as diglyme. Starting products can be those of formula I and II with any meaning (also -CF₂Br) for R f and R' f . c) Conversion of the epoxy group into a -CFHal (Hal = halogen different from F) through reaction with a Grignard reagent RMgHal in stoichiometric amount. Starting compounds: those of formula I and II wherein R f and R' f are -CF₂COOR. All the groups present as R f and R' f or derived from the conversion of epoxy groups according to the reactions a), b) and c) can be easily converted into an ester group -COOR by reacting with alkanol ROH (R = alkyl C₁ - C₃). These ester groups are suitable for many further reactions and at the same time do not have some drawbacks of the free acylfluoride group. d) Conversion of the epoxy group into the keto group -COCF₃, in the starting compounds of formula I and II wherein R f and R' f are -CF₂COOR. The reaction is carried out by heating at 100°C in the presence of AlF₃. A subsequent interesting reaction of this keto group is the reduction of the same with H₂ (catalyst Pd on carbon) with conversion into the group -CHOHCF₃, whereas the end groups -CF₂COOR remain unchanged. The hydroxy group -OH thus introduced along the perfluoroether chain can be utilized for crosslinking reactions with suitable crosslinking agents (for example diepoxides, diisocyanates, etc). e) A further reaction of the epoxy groups of compounds of formula I and II wherein R f and R' f are -CF₂Br or -CF₂COOR, is their polymerization in the presence of CsF or of tetramethyl urea, in a polar aprotic solvent. The obtained polymers, having a perfluoropolyether structure, are of linear or crosslinked type and can contain a high number of reactive groups -CF₂COOR or -CF₂Br. The groups -COCF₃, and obtained through the conversion of the epoxy groups as above shown, can be further converted to perfluorovinylether groups, which are suitable for the preparation of addition polymers containing end groups R f and R' f of the type -CF₂Br or -CF₂COOR. The conversion occurs through the addition of alkali fluoride (CsF and/or KF) and subsequent addition of in a polar aprotic solvent, thus obtaining an acyl fluoride derivative which in the presence of basic substances, at 120 - 220°C, gives the perfluorovinylether derivative. As above said starting compounds are those of formula I or II having R f and R' f equal to -CF₂Br or -CF₂COOR and wherein the epoxy groups have been previously converted into or acyl fluoride groups. The perfluorovinyl ethers thus obtained are characterized respectively by the group -CF₂CF₂OCF = CF₂ or -CF₂OCF = CF₂. f) Another interesting conversion of the epoxy groups is that into -Br according to the scheme: The polyfunctional perfluoropolyethers of the invention can be employed for preparing crosslinked polymers, or as crosslinking agents of polycondensation polymers. Linear polymers can be obtained by nucleophilic polymerization of the epoxy group, from the compounds of formula I and/or II having only one epoxy group per perfluoroether chain. These linear polymers can be used as liquid membrane having many applications depending on the kind of the functional groups on the side of the polymeric chain (for instance -COOH or SO₃H having ion exchange properties). In general the compounds of formula I and II or their derivatives can be used as coatings, topic lubrication and boundery lubrication. The following examples are given as illustrative and not limitative embodiments of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 A) Preparation of the peroxy compound A 600 ml photochemical reactor is used, with an optical path of 0.5 mm, equipped with a reflux condenser kept at the temperature of -80°C, a sheath with thermocouple for temperature detecting. The reactor is equipped with a system of FC 75 (R) -cooled quartz sheats for the insertion of the U.V. lamp (HANAU type TQ 150 having a wavelength within the range of from 248 to 334 nm). To the reactor, after cooling by a dry ice-acetone bath, 460 ml of CF₂Cl₂ is charged; then with the reactor being maintained at -50°C, over 4.3 hours, 96 g (3.0 mol) of O₂, 100 g (1.0 mol) of C₂F₄ and 14.1 g (0.087 mol) of C₄F₆ are charged. The gases entering the reactor are passed through a CaCl₂-trap. At the end, the solvent is evaporated, and 46 g of oil is obtained. The produced oil contains 3.96% by weight of active (peroxy) oxygen. On the basis of this data, of the ¹⁹F-N.M.R. spectrum and of the I.R. spectrum, the structure of this compound can be represented by a sequence of -CF₂-, -CF₂-CF₂- units linked by ether and/or peroxy bridges and by units only connected by ether bridges. The product, which has a viscosity of 4300 mm²/s (cSt) at 20°C, has a molecular weight (as determined by G.P.C. and confirmed by N.M.R.) of 7200. The epoxy content (computed by ¹⁹F-N.M.R.) is 2.7 units per polymer chain. B) Preparation of the compound with zero oxidizing power 23 g of product obtained from photosynthesis is dissolved in 230 ml of CFCl₂CF₂Cl and is charged to a 300-ml reactor with an optical path of 0.5 mm, equipped with a reflux condenser maintained at a temperature of -10°C and with a sheath with thermocouple for temperature detecting. The system is provided with FC 75 (R) -cooled quartz sheats for the insertion of the U.V. lamp (HANAU type TQ 150) (FC 75 (R) is a 3M fluorocarbon). The photoreduction reaction is carried out at the temperature of 30°C for 30 hours. At the end of the reaction, from the reactor 13.9 g of a product is recovered which, at the iodometric analysis, shows a zero content of (peroxy) active oxygen. On the basis of the ¹⁹F-N.M.R. spectrum and of the I.R. spectrum, the structure of this product is represented by a sequence of -CF₂O-,-CF₂-CF₂O-, units, and end groups -CF₂COF. The molar ratio of possible -CF- groups within the chain to the (b) -CF₂- moieties of the epoxy group remains constant. In fact, the ¹⁹F-N.M.R. does not detect the presence of groups within the chain. The molecular weight of the product is 5,400. The content of in-chain epoxy groups after the photoreduction is 2.65 units per polymer chain. Example 1A (Comparison Example) An aliquot of an oil O.P. (oxidizing power) = 3.96% by weight, obtained in step A of Example 1, was subjected to a thermal treatment for the purpose of reducing its oxidizing power. 20 g of polymer is charged to a 50-cm³ flask equipped with thermometer and stirrer; over a 2-hour time the temperature is increased to 230°C, the reaction mass is then kept for a further 6 hours at 230-240°C. At the end, 12.1 g of a product is discharged which, at the iodometric analysis, shows a zero O.P. The ¹⁹F- N.M.R. spectrum does not evidence the presence of epoxy groups, but the typical peaks of [δ (b) = + 26.4; δ (a) = -130, -131.5] . Example 1B (Comparison Example) A portion of an oil having O.P. = 3.96% by weight, obtained as per step A of Example 1, was subjected to a thermal treatment. 20 g of the oil is charged to a 50-cm³ flask equipped with thermometer and stirrer; the flask is placed inside a heating bath, and the whole is kept at a constant temperature of 160°C. 52 hours later, the product has an O.P. of 2.7% by weight and an epoxy content of 80% of the initial epoxy content, as determined via N.M.R. analysis. EXAMPLE 2 A) Preparation of the peroxy compound To the same equipment as of Example 1, 460 ml of CF₂Cl₂ is charged; then, with the equipment being maintained at -47°C, over 6 hours, 101.2 g (3.16 mol) of O₂, 74.6 g (0.74 mol) of C₂F₄ and 25.4 g (0.16 mol) of C₄F₆ are charged. At the end of the reaction, the solvent is evaporated, and 59.8 g of oil is obtained. The oil obtained according to this process has a content 3.64% of active oxygen by weight. On the basis of this data, of the ¹⁹F-N.M.R. spectrum and of the I.R. spectrum, the structure of this compound is composed by the same repeating units as the product of Example 1. The epoxy content (as computed by ¹⁹F-N.M.R.) is 10.4 units per polymer chain, the molecular weight of which is 7,500. B) Preparation of zero-O.P. compound 25 g of the peroxidic product coming from the photosynthesis is dissolved in 230 ml of CF₂ClCFCl₂ and is charged to a 300-ml reactor as already described in Example 1. The photoreduction is carried out at 30°C for an overall time of 28 hours. At the end of the reaction, from the reactor 15.9 g of a product having zero oxidizing power is recovered. The analysis of this product shows the presence of units -CF₂O-, -CF₂-CF₂O-, and and of end groups -CF₂COF. The ¹⁹F-N.M.R. [δ (b) = -110, -113; δ (a) = -132.8, -136.5; δ (c) = -147.7] and I.R. analyses [ν( ) = 1540 cm⁻¹] confirm the stability of the epoxide during this treatment. The molecular weight of the product is 6200. Example 2A (Comparison Example) In a similar way as in Example 1, 20 g of oil with O.P. = 3.64% by weight, obtained in step A of Example 2, is treated. Over a 2-hour time, the temperature is increased to 230°C, and is maintained for more than 6 hours at 230-240°C. At the end, 12.7 g of product with zero O.P. is discharged. The ¹⁹F-N.M.R. spectrum shows the presence of the group in lieu of the epoxy group Example 3 A) Preparation of the peroxy compound To the same equipment as described in Example 1, 460 ml of CF₂Cl₂ is charged. To the reactor, maintained at -40°C and under U.V. light, during 4.4 hours 95.6 g (3 mol) of O₂, 117.2 g (1.17 mol) of C₂F₄ and 9.4 g (0.058 mol) of C₄F₆ are then charged. At the end, the solvent is evaporated, and 40.2 g of oily product is obtained. This oil is a polymer containing 3.17% by weight of active oxygen. The structure, as determined by ¹⁹F-N.M.R. and I.R., is a sequence composed by the same structural units as in the product of Example 1, with the presence of -CF₃ and-CF₂COF end groups in the ratio of 0.5:1. The product has a viscosity of 3,000 mm²/s (cSt), and a molecular weight of 5,700. Its content of epoxy groups is 2.1 units per chain. B) Preparation of zero-O.P. compound 20 g of peroxidic product, coming from the photosynthesis, is dissolved in 230 ml of CF₂ClCFCl₂ and is charged to a 300-ml photochemical reactor as described in Example 1. The photoreduction reaction is carried out at the temperature of 30°C for an overall time of 28 hours. At the end of the reaction, from the reactor 13.7 g of a product having zero oxidizing power is recovered. The analysis of this product shows the presence of units -CF₂O-, CF₂-CF₂O-, and and of end groups of -CF₂COF and -CF₃. Said end groups are in the above-indicated ratio to each other. The molecular weight of the product is 4,250. Example 3A (Comparison Example) In an analogous way to Example 1, 15 g of an oil with O.P. = 3.17 % by weight, obtained by photosynthesis, is treated. The reaction mass is heated to 230°C during a 2-hour time, and is kept at 230-240°C for a further 6 hours. At the end, 10.2 g of a non-peroxidic product is obtained The analyses show the disappearance of the epoxy groups and the appearance of the group. EXAMPLE 4 100 g of the product obtained in Example 2A is added dropwise to a mixture of 20 ml of aqueous HF (57%), 50 ml of CH₃OH and 150 ml of 1,1,2-trifluoro-trichloroethane. The reaction mixture is kept at the boiling temperature for 8 hours. The reaction mixture is poured into ice water, the heavy liquid phase is separated and then washed with a mixture of methanol/hydrochloric acid (36%) in weight ratio of 1/1. The heavy liquid is then dried over Na₂SO₄ and subsequently the chlorofluorocarbon solvent is distilled off. As a residue there are left 82 g of an oily substance which shows in I.R. analysis specific bands of the ester group (1800 cm⁻¹) and in the N.M.R. a ratio m/n = 0.9. An average molecular weight of 730 is determined whereas the acidic equivalent weight is 355. The structure of the compound corresponds to the formula I wherein p = 1. EXAMPLE 5 10 g of the product obtained in example 4 were charged in a 50 ml glass flask. 1 g of α-AlF₃ was added. The mixture was heated to 100°C and stirred. After 8 hours of reaction the resulting mixture was cooled, filtered, and the reaction product was completely recovered, The NMR analysis showed the presence of groups with respect to CF-CF₃) and the complete absence of epoxy groups. EXAMPLE 6 0.3 g of anhydrous KF were dispersed in 50 ml of diglyme (diethylenglycoldimethylether CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃) in a 100 ml glass flask. 20 g of the product obtained in Example 4 were added to this dispersion at 50°C drop by drop. The mixture was stirred for 4 hours, then it was cooled and filtered. The diglyme was then separated by distillation under vacuum; the remaining product showed, under ¹⁹F-NMR analysis, that the epoxy group had completely disappeared and that the group -CF₂-COF was present. The product the obtained, treated with methanol, was converted to the corresponding triester, having an acidimetric equivalent weight of 240 and the following formula: EXAMPLE 7 50 g of the product prepared according to Example 5 were added, at room temperature, to a suspension of 4.5 g of anhydrous KF in 150 ml of anhydrous diglyme in an anhydrous atmosphere; the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. During this period the solid (KF) almost completely disappeared. 20 g of hexafluoropropene epoxide were then bubbled into the mixture. Immediately a salt precipitated, the amount of which increased with the amount of the added epoxide. The mixture was degassed from the excess of perfluoropropene epoxide and was filtered in anhydrous atmosphere; the heaviest phase was separated and, after the removal of diglyme, it showed under I.R. analysis, the band of acyl fluoride (1884 cm⁻¹) and the absence of the ketone band (1803 cm⁻¹). The product thus obtained was treated twice with an excess of anhydrous Na₂CO₃, in diglyme, at 80°C for 60 minutes and at 120-140°C for a further 60 minutes. The filtered and separated product showed the typical I.R. band of perfluorovinylethers (1840 cm⁻¹) and the ester band at 1800 cm⁻¹. The NMR analysis confirmed the following structure: EXAMPLE 8 50 g of the triester obtained according to Example 6 were added, drop by drop during 1 hour, to a mixture of 16 g of LiAlH₄ in 500 ml of anhydrous ethyl ether, kept under reflux in a 4-neck flask having a capacity of 1 l. After 4 hours of reaction, 15 ml of H₂O dissolved in 60 ml of tetrahydrofuran were added in order to decompose the excess of LiAlH₄. After a 2-hour stirring 150 ml of a mixture of aqueous HCl (33%) + H₂O in the volume ratio 1/4 were added. The ether phase was then separated and dehydrated over Na₂SO₄; the ethyl ether was then distilled, leaving a liquid product characterized by a high I.R. absorbance in the -OH zone, having no absorption in the C=O zone. By acetylation a hydroxy equivalent weight of 225 was measured. The ¹H-NMR analysis showed the presence of methylene groups CH₂ between -CF₂ and -OH (at about 4 ppm); this confirms the formula: The ¹⁹F-NMR analysis confirmed this structure. EXAMPLE 9 50 g of the triester obtained according to example 6 were dissolved in 100 ml of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. 10 g of isobutylamine were added at room temperature during 1 hour. A sample was drawn after 1 hour and was dried from the solvent; the remaining product, under I.R. analysis, showed a certain adsorbance due to the ester group (1800 cm⁻¹) together with the band of the amide group (1712 cm⁻¹). The presence of an excess of isobutylamine was confirmed and therefore the reaction was continued for a further 3 hours. After this time the product did not show any traces of I.R. adsorption due to the ester group. A viscous oil was then separated after the removal of the solvent and of the excess amine. A treatment at 150-170°C for 3-5 hours with an excess of P₂O₅ and successive separation of polyphosphoric acid allowed to observe an I.R. adsorption characteristic of the CN group at 2277 cm⁻¹ and the disappearance of the band due to the amide group. EXAMPLE 10 In a 500-ml photochemical reactor, having an optical path of 0.5 cm, equipped with a coaxial quartz sheath for the insertion of a Hg-vapour lamp (HANAU type TQ 150) and with a magnetic stirrer, a reflux condenser, a CO₂ trap and a system for the control of the temperature both of the reactor and the sheath, 400 g of a product obtained according to Example 2A were introduced. 10 g of bromine were successively added and the system was heated to 100°C. After switching on the lamp, 50 g of bromine were added during the 15 hours of the test. At the end the reaction mass was poured into a flask and the bromine was distilled under vacuum. 300 g of a product having an average molecular weight of 700 and nearly no oxidizing ability were obtained, said product having -CF₂Br end groups in an amount of 2 brominated end groups per 1 perfluoropolyether chain, and having one epoxy group in each chain.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, IT, LI, NL, SE (Per)fluoropolyethers represented by general formulae (I) and (II): wherein: R f and R' f represent -CF₂COF or -CF₃ end groups at least one of which is a -CF₂COF group, or represent -CF₂COOR (R=C₁₋₆ alkyl), or -CF₂Br; m, n and p are integers different from zero, the ratio m/n ranging from 0.5 to 2 and the ratio (m+n)/p ranging from 3 to 40; the oxyfluoro-alkylene units in the above polyethers being randomly distributed along the chain; wherein: X is F or CF₃; R' f and R f are defined as indicated above; m, n and p are integers different from zero; the ratio m/n ranges from 5 to 40 and the ratio m/p ranges from 2 to 50. (Per)fluoropolyethers of formula (I) according to claim 1, having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 15,000. (Per)fluoropolyethers of formula (II) according to claim 1, having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 8,000. (Per)fluoropolyethers according to claim 1, in which at least one of the groups R f and R' f and the epoxy groups along the chain have been converted into different functional groups suitable for giving polymers by polycondensation or polyaddition reactions or for acting as cross-linking agents and selected from: - CONHR'' (R'' = H or alkyl C₁-C₁₂ or cycloalkyl) - CN - CHR'OH (R' = H or -CF₃) - CH₂NH₂ - CF₂OCF=CF₂, -CF₂CF₂-O-CF=CF₂, -COCF₃ or (Hal = halogen different from F). Process for preparing the perfluoropolyethers according to claim 1 wherein R' f and R f represent -CF₂COF or -CF₃, which comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product at temperatures of from 0 to +160°C by means of a treatment with U.V. light having a wavelength of from 248 to 334 nm. Process for preparing the (per)fluoropolyethers according to claim 1 wherein R' f and R f represent -CF₂Br, which comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product by means of a treatment with U.V. light having a wavelength of from 248 to 334 nm in the presence of bromine. Process for preparing the (per)fluoropolyethers according to claim 1 wherein R' f and R f represent -CF₂COOR, which comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product by chemical reduction with HI in an alkanol of formula ROH wherein R is C₁-C₆ alkyl. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES Process for preparing perfluoropolyethers represented by the general formulae (I) and (II): wherein: R f and R' f represent -CF₂COF or -CF₃ end groups at least one of which is a -CF₂COF group; m, n and p are integers different from zero, the ratio m/n ranging from 0.5 to 2 and the ratio (m+n)/p ranging from 3 to 40; the oxyfluoro-alkylene units in the above polyethers being randomly distributed along the chain; wherein: X is F or CF₃; R' f and R f are defined as indicated above; m, n and p are integers different from zero; the ratio m/n ranges from 5 to 40 and the ratio m/p ranges from 2 to 50; which process comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product at temperatures of from 0 to +160°C by means of a treatment with U.V. light having a wavelength of from 248 to 334 nm. Process for preparing (per)fluoropolyethers represented by the general formulae (I) and (II): wherein: R f and R' f represent -CF₂Br; m, n and p are integers different from zero, the ratio m/n ranging from 0.5 to 2 and the ratio (m+n)/p ranging from 3 to 40; the oxyfluoro-alkylene units in the above polyethers being randomly distributed along the chain; wherein: X is F or CF₃; R' f and R f are defined as indicated above; m, n and p are integers different from zero; the ratio m/n ranges from 5 to 40 and the ratio m/p ranges from 2 to 50; which process comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product by means of a treatment with U.V. light having a wavelength of from 248 to 334 nm in the presence of bromine. Process for preparing (per)fluoropolyethers represented by the general formulae (I) and (II): wherein: R f and R' f represent -CF₂COOR (R=C₁₋₆ alkyl); m, n and p are integers different from zero, the ratio m/n ranging from 0.5 to 2 and the ratio (m+n)/p ranging from 3 to 40; the oxyfluoro-alkylene units in the above polyethers being randomly distributed along the chain; wherein: X is F or CF₃; R' f and R f are defined as indicated above; m and n and p are integers different from zero; the ratio m/n ranges from 5 to 40 and the ratio m/p ranges from 2 to 50; which process comprises subjecting, in the presence of U.V. light and at temperatures of from -80°C to +50°C, a liquid-phase mixture of at least one perfluorinated olefin and at least one conjugated perfluorodiene to photochemical oxidation with molecular oxygen and subsequently decomposing the peroxy groups present in the photooxidation product by chemical reduction with HI in an alkanol of formula ROH wherein R is C₁-C₆ alkyl. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the (per)fluoropolyethers of formula (I) have an average molecular weight of from 500 to 15,000. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the (per)fluoropolyethers of formula (II) have an average molecular weight of from 500 to 8,000. Process for modifying the (per)fluoropolyethers of general formulae (I) and (II) as given in claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the groups R f and R' f and the epoxy groups along the chain are converted into different functional groups suitable for giving polymers by polycondensation or polyaddition reactions or for acting as crosslinking agents, said functional groups being selected from: - CONHR'' (R'' = H or alkyl C₁-C₁₂ or cycloalkyl) - CN - CHR'OH (R' = H or -CF₃) - CH₂NH₂ - CF₂OCF=CF₂, -CF₂CF₂-O-CF=CF₂, -COCF₃ or (Hal = halogen different from F).

Inventors: DE PATTO UGO, MARCHIONNI GIUSEPPE, STREPPAROLA EZIO, VIOLA GIAN TOMMASO, DE PATTO, UGO, MARCHIONNI, GIUSEPPE, STREPPAROLA, EZIO, VIOLA, GIAN TOMMASO
Applicants: AUSIMONT SPA, AUSIMONT S.P.A.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C08G65
IPC codes: C08G65, C08G59, C08G67