Abstract: A process for fluorinating hydrocarbon compounds, which comprises: A. providing a compound selected from the group consisting of straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic alkanes, straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic ethers, said compound comprising at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and being free from —C(O)— functional groups; B. reacting said compound with fluorine in the presence of at least one (per)haloolefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having at least one fluorine or chlorine atom on either one of the carbon atoms of said double bond, to obtain a compound wherein at least one carbon-hydrogen bond has been replaced by a carbon-fluorine bond. Compositions of partially fluorinated compounds obtained with the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to (per)fluoropolyether block copolymers comprising: A) a fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Ra) comprising one or more units of formula (CHXCF2CF2O)— in which X is hydrogen or fluorine; B) a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Rf), that is to say a segment comprising recurring units having at least one catenary ether bond and at least one fluorocarbon moiety, said (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment being different from chain Ra and having a molecular weight higher than 400 g/mol. These copolymers are endowed with improves lubricant properties or with improved water and oil-repellence properties.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the manufacture cola medical implant, said process comprising: reacting a mixture of non functional, monofunctional, and bifunctional perfluoropolyethers comprising hydroxyl terminal groups, wherein the average functionality is of at least 1.97 [mixture (M)] with suitable reactants for producing a thermoplastic elastomer; moulding the so-obtained thermoplastic elastomer for yielding at least a part of the medical implant. It has been surprisingly found that by using a mixture of perfluoropolyethers having high functionality, it is advantageously possible to manufacture, by moulding thermoplastic elastomers therefrom, medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility and which are submitted to reduced chemicals extraction by biological fluids.

Abstract: Two- or three-dimensional photonic crystals comprising at least of fluorinated polymer are disclosed. The two- or three-dimensional photonic crystals have infiltrated opal or inverse opal structures.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [mixture (M)]. Such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPE (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3) —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH. Such mixture (M) comprising the polyol (P) and at least one PFPE (OH) different from the polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1) —CF2CH2OH and formula (t2) —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mono- or bi-functional (per)fluoropolyethers comprising a linear (per)fluoropolyether chain having two ends, wherein one or two ends contain —CF(CF3)COF groups, to a process for preparing them and to their use as precursors in the preparation of further functionalised (per)fluoropolyethers. The invention also relates to these further functionalised (per)fluoropolyethers.

Abstract: The invention relates to (per)fluoropolyether block copolymers comprising: A) a fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Ra) comprising one or more units of formula (CHXCF2CF2O)— in which X is hydrogen or fluorine; B) a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Rf), that is to say a segment comprising recurring units having at least one catenary ether bond and at least one fluorocarbon moiety, said (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment being different from chain Ra and having a molecular weight higher than 400 g/mol. These copolymers are endowed with improves lubricant properties or with improved water and oil-repellence properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroxy compound of formula (I) wherein n is an integer equal to or higher than 1 as an intermediate for the preparation of compounds of formulae (IIa) and (IIIb) as defined in the specification that can be used as water and oil resistance agents. The invention further relates to water and oil resistance compositions containing compounds (IIa) and (IIb).

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol(per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives, such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPEs (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, such mixture (M) comprising said polyol (P) and at least one hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivative [PFPE (OH)] different from polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1): —CF2CH2OH and formula (t2): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: A process for fluorinating hydrocarbon compounds, which comprises: A. providing a compound selected from the group consisting of straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic alkanes, straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic ethers, said compound comprising at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and being free from C(O)— functional groups; B. reacting said compound with fluorine in the presence of at least one (per)haloolefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having at least one fluorine or chlorine atom on either one of the carbon atoms of said double bond, to obtain a compound wherein at least one carbon-hydrogen bond has been replaced by a carbon-fluorine bond. Compositions of partially fluorinated compounds obtained with the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative comprising: 1. reacting at least one triol having two protected hydroxyl functions and a free hydroxyl group with an activating agent, to yield an activated protected triol; 2. reacting the activated protected triol with a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative of formula: T2-O—Rf-T1, wherein: Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain which is a fluorocarbon segment comprising ether linkages in main chain; T1 and T2, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from non-functional groups of formula: —CF3, —CF2—CF3, —CF2Cl, —CF2CF2Cl, —CF2—COF, —COF: and functional hydroxyl groups comprising at least one hydroxyl group, with the provisio that at least one of T1 and T2 is a functional hydroxyl group as above detailed to yield a protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative; and 3. deprotecting the protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative to yield the polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative.

Abstract: A composition useful for imparting durable stain repellence and soil release properties to textile substrates, a method for treating textile substrates using such composition, and the textile substrates obtained therefrom. The composition comprises: (A) at least one fluorinated ionisable polyurethane polymer (PUR) being free from perfluoroalkyl chains and comprising at least one fluorinated block comprising a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain, and at least one functional block comprising an hydrocarbon chain (RHC) having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms, said chain (RHC) comprising at least one ionisable group, said blocks being linked by urethane moieties of formula (I), wherein E is a divalent hydrocarbon carbon group; (B) at least one fluorocarbon polymer (F) comprising at least one perfluoroalkyl chain (Rf) linked by one or more ester moiety of formula (II) and/or urethane moiety of formula (III) and/or urea moiety of formula (IV); and (C) at least one crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a tetraol PFPE derivative [tetraol (T)] of formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CF2—O—Rf—CF2—CH2O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH, wherein Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf), from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives, said mixture comprising said tetraol (T) and at least one hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether [PFPE (OH)] comprising a chain Rf terminated with at least one end group of formula: —CF2CH2OH; —CF2CH2O—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH; said process comprising: step 1: reacting the mixture (M) with ketones and/or aldehydes so as to selectively protect couples of hydroxyl groups on vicinal carbon atoms by forming corresponding cyclic ketal/acetal derivatives, so as to yield a protected mixture (P); step 2: reacting residual hydroxyl groups of the mixture (P) with suitable functionalizing agents enabling substantial volatility modification, so as to obtain a functionalized protected mixture (Pf); step 3: fractional distillation of the mixture (Pf) so a

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol(per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives, such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPEs (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH, such mixture (M) comprising said polyol (P) and at least one hydroxyl(per)fluoropolyether derivative [PFPE (OH)] different from polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1): —CF2CH2OH and formula (t2): —CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative [polyol (P)] from a mixture of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [mixture (M)]. Such polyol (P) comprising one or more hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives [PFPE (OH)] comprising at least one (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain (chain Rf) and at least one end-group having formula (t3)-CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH. Such mixture (M) comprising the polyol (P) and at least one PFPE (OH) different from the polyol (P) and comprising at least one chain Rf and at least one end-group selected from end-groups having formula (t1)-CF2CH2OH and formula (t2)-CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a tetraol PFPE derivative [tetraol (T)] of formula (I): HO—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CF2—O—Rf—CF2—CH2O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH, wherein Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf), from a mixture (M) of hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether derivatives, said mixture comprising said tetraol (T) and at least one hydroxyl (per)fluoropolyether [PFPE (OH)] comprising a chain Rf terminated with at least one end group of formula: —CF2CH2OH; —CF2CH2O—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2OH; said process comprising: step 1: reacting the mixture (M) with ketones and/or aldehydes so as to selectively protect couples of hydroxyl groups on vicinal carbon atoms by forming corresponding cyclic ketal/acetal derivatives, so as to yield a protected mixture (P); step 2: reacting residual hydroxyl groups of the mixture (P) with suitable functionalizing agents enabling substantial volatility modification, so as to obtain a functionalized protected mixture (Pf); step 3: fractional distillation of the mixture (Pf) so a

Abstract: A composition useful for imparting durable stain repellence and soil release properties to textile substrates, a method for treating textile substrates using such composition, and the textile substrates obtained therefrom. The composition comprises: (A) at least one fluorinated ionisable polyurethane polymer (PUR) being free from perfluoroalkyl chains and comprising at least one fluorinated block comprising a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain, and at least one functional block comprising an hydrocarbon chain (RHC) having from 2 to 14 carbon atoms, said chain (RHC) comprising at least one ionisable group, said blocks being linked by urethane moieties of formula (I), wherein E is a divalent hydrocarbon carbon group; (B) at least one fluorocarbon polymer (F) comprising at least one perfluoroalkyl chain (Rf) linked by one or more ester moiety of formula (II) and/or urethane moiety of formula (III) and/or urea moiety of formula (IV); and (C) at least one crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative, comprising: 1. reacting at least one triol having two protected hydroxyl functions and a free hydroxyl group with an activating agent, to yield an activated protected triol; 2. reacting the activated protected triol with a functional (per)fluoropolyether derivative of formula: T2-O—Rf-T1, wherein: Rf represents a fluoropolyoxyalkene chain which is a fluorocarbon segment comprising ether linkages in main chain; T1 and T2, equal to or different from each other, are independently selected from non-functional groups of formula: —CF3, —CF2—CF3, —CF2Cl, —CF2CF2Cl, —CF2—COF, —COF: and functional hydroxyl groups comprising at least one hydroxyl group, with the provisio that at least one of T1 and T2 is a functional hydroxyl group as above detailed to yield a protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative; and 3. deprotecting the protected polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative to yield the polyol (per)fluoropolyether derivative.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the manufacture cola medical implant, said process comprising: reacting a mixture of non functional, monofunctional, and bifunctional perfluoropolyethers comprising hydroxyl terminal groups, wherein the average functionality is of at least 1.97 [mixture (M)] with suitable reactants for producing a thermoplastic elastomer; moulding the so-obtained thermoplastic elastomer for yielding at least a part of the medical implant. It has been surprisingly found that by using a mixture of perfluoropolyethers having high functionality, it is advantageously possible to manufacture, by moulding thermoplastic elastomers therefrom, medical implants which exhibit improved biocompatibility and which are submitted to reduced chemicals extraction by biological fluids.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions comprising a mixture of: A) from 0.05% by weight to 10% by weight of salts of perfluoropolyether di-carboxylic derivatives having formula: T-O—Rf-T??(IA) wherein T=—CF2—COOZ or —CF2CF2—COOZ wherein Z=Na, K, NH4, R1(R2)(R3)N wherein R1=R2=alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, R3=H, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, Rf is a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain having number average molecular weight between 500 and 10,000. B) from 0.01% to 5% by weight of water-dispersible or water-soluble cationic polymers, having a charge density, defined as number of equivalents per weight unit of dry polymer, higher than 1 meq/g of dry polymer.