Bnfl Fluorochemicals Ltd.

Andrew Keith Joel

Richard Dickinson Chambers

A process for the preparation of a perfluoropolyether having a general formula: ##STR1## as defined hereinbefore, which process includes the direct fluorination with elemental fluorine of a polyether having a general formula: ##STR2## as defined hereinbefore, wherein the fluorination is carried out in the presence of a solvent which is an ether having at least one substituent R.sub.F, wherein R.sub.F is a fluorinated hydrocarbon group. The said solvent ether is preferably a fluorinated volatile ether. The said solvent ether preferably has at least two groups R.sub.F which may be the same or different groups. Each group R.sub.F preferably has from two to four carbon atoms and at least two fluorine atoms. The said solvent ether may be an alicyclic ether having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms in its alicyclic ring. The intermediate polyether of formula (2) may be prepared by a process in which an appropriate straight-chained or cyclic polyether is reacted with an appropriate fluoroalkene in the presence of a sensitising medium and ultra-violet radiation is applied to energise the medium and promote multiple fluorination.

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Preston, United Kingdom

Andrew Keith Joel