Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications.

Abstract: A process for controlling the cone tilt angle of a tilted smectic liquid crystal composition comprises the step of combining (a) at least one liquid crystal composition comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound comprising (i) an aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion comprising a terminal fluoroalkyl or fluoroether group and an alkylene group having at least two carbon atoms and containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom, (ii) an aliphatic hydrocarbon terminal portion, and (iii) a central core connecting the terminal portions; and (b) at least one liquid crystal composition comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound; with the provisos that at least one of the compositions (a) and (b) comprises at least one chiral liquid crystal compound and that the combining of compositions (a) and (b) provides an optically active, tilted chiral smectic liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: Compositions comprise (a) a curable resin sol comprising a colloidal dispersion of substantially spherical, substantially inorganic microparticles (e.g., surface-modified silica) in curable resin (e.g., epoxy resin); and (b) reinforcing fibers (e.g., carbon fibers). The compositions can be cured to provide fiber-reinforced composites which exhibit improved resin-dominated mechanical properties.

Abstract: A tape for adhering to rough surfaces in which an adhesive layer is adhered to a backing in a manner to allow discontinuities of adhesion between the backing and the adhesive layer. The backing is deformable and recoverable to form a generally smooth surface.

Abstract: Foamable compositions comprise (a) at least one normally liquid, unsaturated perfluorochemical blowing agent compound selected from the group consisting of perfluoroolefin compounds, e.g., perfluoro(4-methylpent-2-ene), perfluoroaromatic compounds, e.g., hexafluorobenzene, and perfluorocycloolefin compounds, e.g., perfluorocyclohexene, the perfluoroolefin compounds optionally containing one or more catenary heteroatoms; and (b) at least one foamable polymer or the precursors of at least one foamable polymer. The compositions are useful in preparing polymeric, e.g., polyurethane, foams.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing fluorine-containing ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin monomer is provided. The method involves the use of fluoroaliphatic-group containing sulfinate. Novel polymers are also disclosed, comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin, for example, propylene.

Abstract: A process for preparing fluorocarboxylic acid halides comprises the steps of (a) forming a starting composition comprising (i) at least one fluorosulfonic acid halide comprising at least one halosulfonyldifluoromethyl group (--Cf.sub.2 SO.sub.2 X, wherein X is halogen); and (ii) at least one Group III or Group V Lewis acid; and (b) allowing the fluorosulfonic acid halide and the Lewis acid to react to form a product composition comprising at least one fluorocarboxylic acid halide. The process enables the preparation of even higher molecular weight fluorocarboxylic acid halides in good yield.

Abstract: Water-based coating compositions comprise an aqueous solution, emulsion, or dispersion of (a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one anionic moiety which is capable of reacting with an oxazoline or oxazine moiety; (b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer or oligomer having at least one oxazoline or oxazine moiety; and (c) colloidal silica; at least one of the components (a) and (b) further comprising at least one fluoroaliphatic moiety. The compositions can be used to form hard coatings having low surface energy and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A heat-activatable adhesive article is provided. The article, preferably a tape, includes a substantially laterally stable heat recoverable carrier film having at least one surface comprising a recessed surface portion and a raised surface portion therein; and an adhesive layer in the recessed surface portion in an amount such that the adhesive does not extend above the raised surface portion thereby forming an exposed raised surface portion. In use, the carrier film recovers upon exposure to heat thereby allowing the adhesive in the recessed surface portion to contact a substrate. The heat-activatable adhesive article can be positionable, repositionable, or both.

Abstract: A process for preparing fluorocarbon fluoroalkanesulfonates comprises (a) forming a mixture comprising at least one fluoroalkanesulfonyl halide, e.g., perfluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride, at least one fluorocarbon-substituted carbinol, e.g., 1,1-dihydroperfluorobutoxyethoxyethanol, and at least one base, e.g., triethyl amine; and (b) allowing the mixture to react in the absence of solvent at a temperature below ambient. The process is volume-efficient and provides high yields of fluorocarbon fluoroalkanesulfonates useful as intermediates in, e.g., drug synthesis.

Abstract: A thermally-curable aromatic amine-epoxy composition comprises(a) at least one polyepoxy compound;(b) a curing amount of at least one aromatic polyamine compound; and(c) a catalytically effective amount of at least one cure accelerator compound which is a .pi.-electron acceptor, and which lowers the cure exotherm peak temperature (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at 10.degree. C. per minute) of the composition by at least about 8 percent relative to the corresponding composition without the cure accelerator. Such accelerator compounds moderate and/or accelerate the thermal curing of aromatic amine-epoxy resins, enabling cure to occur at lower temperatures and/or in shorter time periods than those required for the unaccelerated composition.

Abstract: Foamable compositions comprise (a) at least one normally liquid, unsaturated perfluorochemical blowing agent compound selected from the group consisting of perfluoroolefin compounds, e.g., perfluoro(4-methylpent-2-ene), perfluoroaromatic compounds, e.g., hexafluorobenzene, and perfluorocycloolefin compounds, e.g., perfluorocyclohexene, the perfluoroolefin compounds optionally containing one or more catenary heteroatoms; and (b) at least one foamable polymer or the precursors of at least one foamable polymer. The compositions are useful in preparing polymeric, e.g., polyurethane, foams.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing liquid crystal compounds comprise a fluorocarbon terminal portion having at least one catenary ether oxygen and a hydrocarbon terminal portion, the terminal portions being connected by a central core. The compounds have smectic or latent smectic mesophases.

Abstract: Normally liquid, omega-hydrofluoroalkyl ether compounds (and selected mixtures thereof) have a saturated perfluoroaliphatic chain of carbon atoms interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms. The compounds can be prepared, e.g., by decarboxylation of the corresponding fluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids and are useful, e.g., in cleaning and drying applications.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) an aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion containing at least two catenary ether oxygen atoms; (b) a chiral, aliphatic hydrocarbon terminal portion; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: A process for converting perfluorinated carboxylic acid esters to perfluorinated acyl fluorides and/or perfluorinated ketones comprises the step of combining at least one perfluorinated carboxylic acid ester with at least one initiating reagent selected from the group consisting of gaseous, non-hydroxylic nucleophiles; liquid, non-hydroxylic nucleophiles; and mixtures of at least one non-hydroxylic nucleophile (gaseous, liquid, or solid) and at least one solvent which is inert to acylating agents. The process enables the dissociation of even high molecular weight, perfluorinated esters.

Abstract: A process for preparing inert or functional, tertiary carbon-containing perfluorochemicals comprises the step of electrochemically fluorinating, in the presence of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, a composition comprising at least one starting compound selected from the group consisting of those fluoroalkanes, fluoroalkenes, fluoroalcohols, fluorocarboxylic acids, fluorocarboxylic acid halides, fluorocarboxylic acid esters, and combinations thereof which contain at least one (preferably, only one) --CX.sub.2 --C(R.sub.f).sub.2 -- group, wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, and CH.sub.2 OH, with the proviso that only one X can be CH.sub.2 OH, and each R.sub.f group is independently perfluoroalkyl. The process enables preservation of the highly-branched structure of the starting compounds resulting in high product yields.

Abstract: A process for controlling layer spacing in mixtures of smectic liquid crystal compounds comprises the step of combining a liquid crystal composition having a net negative thermal layer expansion in at least one tilted (or latent tilted) smectic mesophase and a liquid crystal composition having a net positive thermal layer expansion in at least one tilted (or latent tilted) smectic mesophase, each of the compositions comprising at least one smectic or latent smectic liquid crystal compound. The process enables control of layer spacing in the tilted smectic mesophase(s) and thereby control or suppression of chevron layer geometry.

Abstract: A liquid phase process for making perfluorinated organic substances which comprises directly contacting in a temperature-controlled reactor a diluted solution or dispersion of a perfluorinateable, organic substance in a liquid, inert medium with a stoichiometric excess of fluorine gas, optionally diluted with an inert gas, to perfluorinate said organic substance at a temperature and a flow rate of inert gas (if used) sufficient to volatilize the resulting by-product hydrogen fluoride, removing said hydrogen fluoride from the reactor as it is produced, and separately removing from the reactor the resultant solution or dispersion of perfluorinated organic substance.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing, chiral and achiral liquid crystal compounds comprise (a) an aliphatic fluorocarbon terminal portion comprising a perfluorinated or partially-fluorinated alkylene group and a terminal hydrocarbon alkyl group, the groups optionally containing at least one catenary ether oxygen atom; (b) an aliphatic hydrocarbon terminal portion; and (c) a central core connecting the terminal portions. The compounds have smectic mesophases or latent smectic mesophases and are useful, for example, in liquid crystal display devices.