The Synthesis of Fluorinated Acrylics Via Fluoro Tertiary Alcohols

Abstract

Acrylic polymers of linear and of cross-linked varieties are important classes of materials, and the fluorocarbon polymers are likewise important for substantially different reasons. The broad resistance of fluorocarbons to physical and chemical attack suggests that acrylics could be enhanced by the introduction into the molecules of substantial amounts of fluorine, provided such an addition did not compromise the characteristic acrylic properties. Fluorocarbons also possess a range of unusual surface chemical properties which could make for greater versatility in the acrylics if imparted thereto. For example, a fluoroacrylic resin in the liquid, precured state is expected to be of low surface tension and excellent wetting capability for difficult-to-wet fillers, such as powdered Teflon, whereas the cured fluoracrylic can be expected to be relatively non-wetting and non-absorptive of most liquid systems, particularly those that are water based. In order to attempt such an enhancement of acrylic properties, the synthesis of a series of fluorine-bearing acrylics of various functionalities was undertaken.