Advances in the (co)polymerization of alkyl 2-trifluoromethacrylates and 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid

Current State of Microflow Trifluoromethylation Reactions

The trifluoromethyl group is a powerful structural motif in drugs and polymers; thus, developing trifluoromethylation reactions is an important area of research in organic chemistry. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in developing new methods for the trifluoromethylation of organic molecules, ranging from nucleophilic and electrophilic approaches to transition-metal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrolytic reactions. While these reactions were initially developed in batch systems, more recent microflow versions are highly attractive for industrial applications owing to their scalability, safety, and time efficiency. In this review, we discuss the current state of microflow trifluoromethylation. Approaches for microflow trifluoromethylation based on different trifluoromethylation reagents are described, including continuous flow, flow photochemical, microfluidic electrochemical reactions, and large-scale microflow reactions.

Are (Co)Polymers of 1,1,3,3,3-Pentafluoropropene Possible?

The copolymerization and terpolymerization of 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (PFP) with various combinations of fluorinated and hydrogenated comonomers were investigated. The chosen fluoromonomers were vinylidene fluoride (VDF), 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (TFP), hexafluoropropene (HFP), perfluoromethylvinyl ether (PMVE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) and tert-butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate (MAF-TBE), while the hydrocarbon comonomers were vinylene carbonate (VCA), ethyl vinyl ether (EVE) and 3-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (m-TMI). Copolymers of PFP with non-homopolymerizable monomers (HFP, PMVE and MAF-TBE) led to quite low yields, while the introduction of VDF enabled the synthesis of poly(PFP-ter-VDF-ter-M₃) terpolymers with improved yields. PFP does not homopolymerize and delays the copolymerizations. All polymers were either amorphous fluoroelastomers or fluorothermoplastics with glass transition temperatures ranging from -56 °C to +59 °C, and they exhibited good thermal stability in air.

Self-healing hydrophobic POSS-functionalized fluorinated copolymers via RAFT polymerization and dynamic Diels–Alder reaction

Development of self-healing hydrophobic POSS-functionalized fluorinated copolymethacrylate(s) via RAFT Polymerization and dynamic Diels–Alder Reaction.

Does the oxa-Michael reaction of 2-trifluoromethacrylic acid lead to fluorinated polyesters?

2-Trifluoromethacrylic acid (MAF) is a peculiar fluorinated functional monomer.

Synthesis, aqueous solution behavior and self-assembly of a dual pH/thermo-responsive fluorinated diblock terpolymer

The synthesis of fluorinated dual-responsive block terpolymers via sequential reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is presented.

Fluoropolymers in biomedical applications: state-of-the-art and future perspectives

Biomedical applications of fluoropolymers in gene delivery, protein delivery, drug delivery, ¹⁹F MRI, PDT, anti-fouling, anti-bacterial, cell culture, and tissue engineering.

Processing of Functional Composite Resins Using Deep Eutectic Solvent

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs)—a promising class of alternatives to conventional ionic liquids (ILs) that have freezing points lower than the individual components—are typically formed from two or more components through hydrogen bond interactions. Due to the remarkable advantages of biocompatibility, economical feasibility and environmental hospitality, DESs show great potentials for green production and manufacturing. In terms of the processing of functional composite resins, DESs have been applied for property modifications, recyclability enhancement and functionality endowment. In this review, the applications of DESs in the processing of multiple functional composite resins such as epoxy, phenolic, acrylic, polyester and imprinted resins, are covered. Functional composite resins processed with DESs have attracted much attention of researchers in both academic and industrial communities. The tailored properties of DESs for the design of functional composite resins—as well as the effects of hydrogen bond on the current polymeric systems—are highlighted. In addition to the review of current works, the future perspectives of applying DESs in the processing of functional composite resins are also presented.

Palladium-Catalyzed Fluoroarylation of gem-Difluoroenynes to Access Trisubstituted Trifluoromethyl Allenes

Various new transformations of gem-difluoroalkenes leading to trifluoromethyl substituted compounds have been well established in the past years. However, the development of new transformations of gem-difluoroenynes lags much behind. Herein is reported the fluoroarylation of 1,1-difluoro-1,3-enynes with aryl halides in the presence of silver fluoride affording trisubstituted trifluoromethyl allenes under the catalysis of palladium. The reaction features mild conditions, high functional-group tolerance, and high regioselectivity.

Phosphorus-Containing Fluoropolymers: State of the Art and Applications

Several strategies to synthesize fluorinated (co)polymers containing phosphorus groups and their applications are reviewed. First, original fluoromonomers bearing phosphorus atoms are supplied from relevant routes. They may possess fluorinated atoms linked to the ethylenic carbon atoms with different structures, such as F₂C═CF- or H₂C═C(CF₃)- and a phosphonated ω-function adjacent to an aliphatic or aromatic linker, while other monomers display a difluoromethylene dialkylphosphonate end group such as -CF₂-P(O)(OR)₂. Then, fluorinated copolymers were obtained according to various pathways: (i) by radical homopolymerization of monomers containing both fluorine and phosphorus atoms, (ii) by direct radical copolymerization of fluoromonomers and phosphorus-based monomers, or (iii) by chemical modification of fluorinated copolymers with phosphorus-based reactants. Conventional radical and controlled (or reversible deactivation radical polymerization, RDRP) copolymerization have also been explored. As for the chemical change of halogenated polymers, either conventional organic reactions (e.g., Arbuzov reaction from a chlorine, iodine, or bromine atom) or radiation grafting with specific monomers led to graft copolymers composed of a fluorinated backbone and phosphonated grafts. This second part also details aliphatic and aromatic fluorophosphorous copolymers in which dialkylphosphonates or phosphonic acids are reported. Finally, since fluorine and phosphorus atoms bring complementary relevant properties (low refractive index and dielectric constants, chemical inertness, high electrochemical, soils, and heat resistances, electroattractivity from fluorine atoms and high acidity, complexation, anticorrosion, flame retardant, and biomedical properties from phosphorus ones), synergetic characteristics have been targeted. These properties allow such fluoro-phosphorus (co)polymers to be used as novel materials involved in various applications such as polymer exchange membranes for fuel cells, self-etching adhesives for dental materials, adhesion promoters, flame retardants, polymer blends, and anticorrosive coatings.

Insight into the Intermolecular Interaction and Free Radical Polymerizability of Methacrylates in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

High pressure in situ Fourier transfer infrared/near infrared technology (HP FTIR/NIR) along with theoretical calculation of density functional theory (DFT) method was employed. The solvation behaviors and the free radical homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylate acid (MAA), trifluoromethyl methacrylate (MTFMA) and trifluoromethyl methacrylate acid (TFMAA) in scCO2 were systematically investigated. Interestingly, the previously proposed mechanism of intermolecular-interaction dynamically-induced solvation effect (IDISE) of monomer in scCO2 is expected to be well verified/corroborated in view that the predicted solubility order of the monomers in scCO2 via DFT calculation is ideally consistent with that observed via HP FTIR/NIR. It is shown that MMA and MAA can be easily polymerized, while the free radical polymerizability of MTFMA is considerably poor and TFMAA cannot be polymerized via the free radical initiators. The α trifluoromethyl group (-CF3) may effectively enhance the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and restrain the diffusion of the monomer in scCO2. More importantly, the strong electron-withdrawing inductive effect of -CF3 to C=C may distinctly decrease the atomic charge of the carbon atom in the methylene (=CH2). These two factors are believed to be predominantly responsible for the significant decline of the free radical polymerizability of MTFMA and the other alkyl 2-trifluoromethacrylates in scCO2.

Use of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-vinyl dimethylphosphonate) copolymers for efficient extraction of valuable metals

The radical copolymerisation of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) with vinyl dimethyl phosphonate (VDMP) initiated by various kinds of initiators is presented.

Functional fluorinated polymer materials and preliminary self-healing behavior

Effective use of Diels–Alder chemistry led to the development of thermally amendable and self-healing polymeric materials based on a copolymer of cyclopenta-1,3-dien-1-ylmethyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate (MAF-Furan) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate (FATRIFE).

Fluoropolymers: The Right Material for the Right Applications

An overview on the synthesis, properties, and applications of fluoropolymers (PFs) is presented. First, a non-exhaustive summary on the homopolymers from conventional radical polymerization of fluoromonomers is proposed. FPs are interesting materials thanks to their outstanding properties such as thermal, oxidative and chemical resistances, low dissipation factor, refractive index, permittivity, and water absorptivity, as well as excellent durability and weatherability. Various strategies of synthesis are proposed, especially on recent studies on radical (co)polymerization of fluoroalkenes, just like their properties and applications ranging from coatings and energy-related materials (e.g. fuel cell membranes, components for lithium ion batteries, electroactive devices, and photovoltaics) to original fluorinated elastomers, surfactants, thermoplastic elastomers, thermostables, and optical devices.

Thermo-reversible self-healing in a fluorous crosslinked copolymer

Self-healing in a fluorous copolymer material enhances its safety index and extends its working lifetime.

Self-assembly of fluorous amphiphilic copolymers with ionogels and surface switchable wettability

Fluorous amphiphilic ionic copolymers of 1H,1H,2H-Perfluoro-1-octene and vinyl imidazole self-assembled in different solvents to form ionogels and exhibits tunable substrate switching wettability.

Kinetics of radical copolymerization of vinylidene fluoride with tert-butyl 2-trifluoromethyl acrylate: a suitable pair for the synthesis of alternating fluorinated copolymers

A study of the copolymerization kinetics of vinylidene fluoride with tert-butyl 2-trifluoromethyl acrylate: a suitable pair for the synthesis of alternating fluorinated copolymers.

Syntheses of 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate-containing block copolymers via RAFT polymerization using a universal chain transfer agent

2-(Trifluoromethyl)acrylate-containing block copolymers were synthesized via RAFT polymerization using a universal CTA.

Bis(formylphenolato)cobalt(II)-Mediated Alternating Radical Copolymerization of tert-Butyl 2-Trifluoromethylacrylate with Vinyl Acetate

The organometallic-mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) of vinyl acetate (VAc) and its OMR copolymerization (OMRcoP) with tert-butyl 2-trifluoromethylacrylate (MAF-TBE) mediated by Co(SAL)₂ (SAL = 2-formylphenolato or deprotonated salicylaldehyde) produced relatively well-defined PVAc and poly(VAc-alt-MAF-TBE) copolymers at moderate temperature (<40 °C) in bulk. The resulting alternating copolymer was characterized by ¹H-, 13C- and 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, and by size exclusion chromatography. The linear first-order kinetic plot, the linear evolutions of the molar mass with total monomer conversion, and the relatively low dispersity (Đ~1.55) of the resulting copolymers suggest that this cobalt complex provides some degree of control over the copolymerization of VAc and MAF-TBE. Compared to the previously investigated cobalt complex OMRP mediators having a fully oxygen-based first coordination sphere, this study emphasizes a few peculiarities of Co(SAL)₂: a lower ability to trap radical chains as compared to Co(acac)₂ and the absence of catalytic chain transfer reactions, which dominates polymerizations carried in the presence of 9-oxyphenalenone cobalt derivative.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Containing Phosphonic Acid as Anticorrosion Coating for Steel

Vinylidene fluoride (VDF)-based copolymers bearing pendant phosphonic acid function for potential application as anticorrosion coatings were synthesized via free radical copolymerization of VDF with a new phosphorus containing 2-trifluoromethacrylate monomer, (dimethoxyphosphoryl)methyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate (MAF-DMP). MAF-DMP was prepared from 2-trifluoromethacrylic acid in 60% overall yield. Radical copolymerizations of VDF with MAF-DMP initiated by tert-amyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate at varying ([VDF]₀/[MAF-DMP]₀) feed ratios led to several poly(VDF-co-MAF-DMP) copolymers having different molar percentages of VDF (79-96%) and number-average molecular weights (M_n's) up to ca. 10 000 g mol^-1 in fair yields (47-53%). Determination of the composition and microstructure of all the synthesized copolymers was done by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopies. The monomer reactivity ratios of this new VDF/MAF-DMP pair were also determined (r_VDF = 0.76 ± 0.34 and r_MAF-DMP = 0 at 74 °C). The resulting poly(VDF-co-MAF-DMP) copolymers exhibited high melting temperature (162-171 °C, with respect to the VDF content), and the degree of crystallinity reached up to 51%. Finally, the pendant dimethyl phosphonate ester groups of the synthesized poly(VDF-co-MAF-DMP) copolymer were quantitatively hydrolyzed, giving rise to novel phosphonic acid-functionalized PVDF (PVDF-PA). In comparison to hydrophobic poly(VDF-co-MAF-DMP) copolymers (the water contact angle, WCA, was 98°), the hydrophilic character of the PVDF-PA was found to be surprisingly rather pronounced, exhibiting low WCA (15°). Finally, steel plates coated with PVDF-PA displayed satisfactory anticorrosion properties under simulated seawater environment.

Poly(fluoroacrylate)s with tunable surface hydrophobicity via radical copolymerization of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate and 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid

Fluorinated polyacrylates with tunable surface hydrophobicity are prepared via radical copolymerization of an α-fluoroacrylate and 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid.

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal and surface properties of co- and terpolymers based on fluorinated α-methylstyrenes and styrene

Conventional bulk radical co- and terpolymerizations of α-fluoromethylstyrene (FMST) or/and α-trifluoromethylstyrene (TFMST) with styrene (ST) initiated by α,α′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) are presented.

Ferroelectric fluorinated copolymers with improved adhesion properties

Modified fluorinated electroactive poly(VDF-co-TrFE) copolymers with improved adhesion properties, on glass or metal substrates, are presented.

Nitroxide-Mediated Alternating Copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate with tert-Butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate Using a SG1-Based Alkoxyamine

Unique alternating copolymers based on vinyl acetate (VAc) and tert-butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate (MAF-TBE, a nonhomopolymerizable monomer under radical conditions) have been synthesized by nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) using a SG1-based BlocBuilder alkoxyamine (MAMA-SG1) at moderate temperature (at 40 °C) in dimethyl sulfoxide. First-order kinetics and linear evolutions of the molecular weight (up to 17100 g mol^-1), maintaining low dispersity values (Đ ≤ 1.33), confirmed the controlled nature of the copolymerization. Interestingly, none of the starting monomers could undergo homopolymerization under the NMP condition initiated by MAMA-SG1. The resulting alternating copolymers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The poly(VAc-alt-MAF-TBE) copolymer is amorphous and exhibited a single glass transition temperature of 59 °C. This is the first report of nitroxide-mediated (co)polymerization of VAc leading to well-defined copolymers with satisfactory yields. The results presented in this study established a new route via NMP toward the synthesis of strictly 1:1 alternating fluorocopolymers that can display diverse functionalities.

Towards new strategies for the synthesis of functional vinylidene fluoride-based copolymers with tunable wettability

–COOH functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) prepared using water-based non-fluorinated solvents displays tunable wettability suitable for potential application in coating, oil recovery and water purification.

Kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the iodine transfer copolymerization of vinylidene fluoride with 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene and functionalization into ω-hydroxy fluorinated copolymers

ω-Hydroxy functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) prepared in a water-based non-fluorinated solvent by iodine transfer copolymerization VDF and 1234yf.

Controlled copolymerization of n-butyl acrylate with semifluorinated acrylates by RAFT polymerization

A new class of well-controlled semifluorinated copolymers were successfully synthesized via RAFT polymerization. We found that ESI-TOF MS was particularly useful for readily analysing our semifluorinated copolymers. The reactivity ratios of each pair of co-monomers are close to one.

Synthesis of an original fluorinated triethylene glycol methacrylate monomer and its radical copolymerisation with vinylidene fluoride. Its application as a gel polymer electrolyte for Li-ion batteries

The synthesis and characterisation of novel poly[VDF-g-oligo(EO)] graft copolymers are presented.

Synthesis and self-assembly of a novel fluorinated triphilic block copolymer

The morphological evolution of triphilic copolymer P(MMA-co-MAA)-b-PFEMA aggregates self-assembling in DMF/H₂O solutions with an increase in water content.

Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of allylic bromodifluoroacetates

The development of new synthetic fluorination reactions has important implications in medicinal, agricultural, and materials chemistries. Given the prevalence and accessibility of alcohols, methods to convert alcohols to trifluoromethanes are desirable. However, this transformation typically requires four-step processes, specialty chemicals, and/or stoichiometric metals to access the trifluoromethyl-containing product. A two-step copper-catalyzed decarboxylative protocol for converting allylic alcohols to trifluoromethanes is reported. Preliminary mechanistic studies distinguish this reaction from previously reported Cu-mediated reactions.