Aerosol direct fluorination: Direct synthesis of perfluorinated glyme ethers

Abstract

Aerosol direct fluorination of 1,2-dimethoxyethane, bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether, triethyleneglycol dimethyl ether, and tetraethyleneglycol dimethyl ether produced the perfluorinated analogs in 36%, 22%, 30% and 15% isolated yields based on total input of hydrocarbon into the reactor. High effluent concentrations in excess of 80% were obtained in all cases indicating that low yields are primarily due to mechanical losses, not fragmentation or incomplete reaction. The clean reaction and the ability to produce high molecular weight fluorocarbons by direct fluorination suggests the applicability of aerosol fluorination to the production of fluorinated fluids and oils.