Abstract: To provide a fluorinated ether composition capable of satisfying both high lubricity and high adhesive property, a lubricant, surface modifier or surfactant containing the fluorinated ether composition, and a liquid composition containing the fluorinated ether composition. The fluorinated ether composition comprises a fluorinated ether compound (A) represented by (X)n—YA—(Z)m and a fluorinated ether compound (B) represented by (X)s—YB—(Z)t, wherein the content of the fluorinated ether compound (A) is from 15 to 80 mass % to the total amount of the fluorinated ether compound (A) and the fluorinated ether compound (B), and in the above formulae, X is HO—CH2—P1-[(CaF2aO)b(CFQ1CF2O)c]—, Z is R—P2—[(CdF2dO)e(CFQ2CF2O)f]—, n is 5 or 6, m is an integer of from 0 to 10, n+m is an integer of from 5 to 16, s is an integer of from 0 to 4, t is an integer of from 0 to 10, s+t is an integer of from 2 to 14, and each of YA and YB is a linking group.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a perfluoro compound having hydroxyl groups, whereby agglomeration of a reduction reaction intermediate tends not to occur during a reduction reaction, and a perfluoro compound having —C(?O)OH can be used as a starting material. Reducing (A-C(?O)=Q=)nRfn in the presence of a metal hydride and an inorganic salt of lithium in an alcohol solvent to obtain (B—CH(OH)-Q-)n-m(A-C(?O)-Q-)mRfn, wherein A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, Q is a perfluoroalkylene group or the like, n is an integer of at least 1, m is an integer at least 0 and less than n, Rfn is an n valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group or the like, and B is a group depending on A wherein when A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group or the like, B is a hydrogen atom, and when A is a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, B is the same group as A.

Abstract: To provide a surface treating agent and a composition for surface treatment capable of forming a coating film excellent in the water/oil repellency, the efficiency for removal of oil-and-fat stains, alkali resistance and heat resistance and having a low coefficient of friction; a method for treating the surface of an article by using the surface treating agent or the composition for surface treatment; an article having surface treatment applied; and a novel fluorinated ether compound useful as a surface treating agent. A surface treating agent comprising a compound represented by the following formula (A): RFO(CF2CF2O)aCF2C(O)N(H)b(-Q-OC(O)C(R)?CH2)2-b??(A) wherein RF is a C1-20 perfluoro monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group or the like; a is an integer of from 1 to 200; b is 0 or 1; Q is a C1-6 alkylene group or the like; and R is a hydrogen atom or a C1-3 alkyl group.

Abstract: To provide an ether compound which is capable of maintaining high adhesion to a base material even in the presence of moisture, and a lubricant and a composition for a lubricant, containing the ether compound. An ether compound represented by (X—)s(W—)t(Z—)uY is used. X=a group having the following formula (X0) at the terminal thereof, W=a group having HO—CH2CF2O— at the terminal thereof, Z=a group having CF3(CF2)a3O— at the terminal thereof, Y=a (s+t+u) valent perfluorinated hydrocarbon group or the like, s=1 to 7, t=0 to 4, u=0 to 2, (s+t+u)=2 to 7, a3=0 to 19, and R1 to R5=a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, etc.

Abstract: To provide a surface treating agent and a composition for surface treatment capable of forming a coating film excellent in the water/oil repellency, the efficiency for removal of oil-and-fat stains, alkali resistance and heat resistance and having a low coefficient of friction; a method for treating the surface of an article by using the surface treating agent or the composition for surface treatment; an article having surface treatment applied; and a novel fluorinated ether compound useful as a surface treating agent. A surface treating agent comprising a compound represented by the following formula (A): RFO(CF2CF2O)aCF2C(O)N(H)b(-Q-OC(O)C(R)?CH2)2-b??(A) wherein RF is a C1-20 perfluoro monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group or the like; a is an integer of from 1 to 200; b is 0 or 1; Q is a C1-6 alkylene group or the like; and R is a hydrogen atom or a C1-3 alkyl group.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a perfluoro compound having hydroxyl groups, whereby agglomeration of a reduction reaction intermediate tends not to occur during a reduction reaction, and a perfluoro compound having —C(?O)OH can be used as a starting material. Reducing (A-C(?O)=Q=)nRfn in the presence of a metal hydride and an inorganic salt of lithium in an alcohol solvent to obtain (B—CH(OH)-Q-)n-m,(A-C(?O)-Q-)mRfn, wherein A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, Q is a perfluoroalkylene group or the like, n is an integer of at least 1, m is an integer at least 0 and less than n, Rfn is an n valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group or the like, and B is a group depending on A wherein when A is a hydroxyl group, a C1-5 alkoxy group or the like, B is a hydrogen atom, and when A is a hydrogen atom, a C1-5 alkyl group or the like, B is the same group as A.