METHOD FOR PRODUCING FLUORINATED POLYETHER

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20240409489
  • Publication Number
    20240409489
  • Date Filed
    October 07, 2022
    2 years ago
  • Date Published
    December 12, 2024
    11 days ago
Abstract
To provide a method capable of producing a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material polyether compound in high yield. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether, characterized in including a step (1) of introducing the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of 1.30 or smaller, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent into a reactor to fluorinate the raw material compound.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a novel method for producing a fluorinated polyether.


BACKGROUND ART

Perfluoropolyether compounds that are fluorinated polyethers have been known to exhibit high performance over an extremely wide range of applications as lubricants. For this reason, the perfluoropolyether compounds are widely used in vacuum pump oils as lubricating oils, heat transfer media, non-adhesives, and other applications.


Perfluoropolyether compounds are produced by fluorinating a CH group in a raw hydrocarbon compound to a CF group, and a method of electrochemical fluorine substitution by using hydrogen fluoride (electrolytic fluorination reaction) and fluorination using a fluorine gas have been known.


However, a problem of the electrolytic fluorination reaction is that the desired compound cannot be obtained with high purity. Known reactions using a fluorine gas include vapor phase method and liquid phase method, and the vapor phase method has had the problem of causing cleavage of a C—C single bond upon reaction with a fluorine gas in a vapor phase, resulting in generating many kinds of by-products.


The liquid phase method is a method for solving such problems, and for example, Patent Literatures 1, 2 have been reported.


Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for liquid phase fluorination for perfluorination of a wide variety of hydrogen-containing compounds. Specifically, the patent literature discloses dissolving or dispersing a hydrogen-containing compound within a medium such as liquid perfluorocarbon, introducing a mixture of fluorine gas and a diluent gas, and continuing the fluorination.


Patent Literature 2 discloses a method for fluorinating a polyether compound by using a prescribed polyether compound as a raw material, introducing a hydrogen fluoride scavenger, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent that is a fully halogen-substituted saturated compound having 2 to 8 carbon atoms into a reactor, removing the hydrogen fluoride scavenger from the reactor, and distributing a perhalogenated unsaturated compound into the reactor while distributing the inert gas and fluorine gas.


CITATION LIST
Patent Literature





    • [Patent Literature 1] JP2945693B

    • [Patent Literature 2] JP6850595B





SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

However, a problem of the production method of Patent Literature 1 is that it is not suitable for fluorination of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, is not able to yield a target product, and has low production efficiency.


In the liquid phase method, a polyether compound synthesized by sequential polymerization has been used as a raw material. In the liquid phase method, hydrogen atoms of a raw material compound are usually replaced with fluorine atoms, and therefore the structure of a perfluoropolyether compound to be produced can also be predicted from the structure of the raw material polyether compound.


However, even the liquid phase method has had a problem of discrepancy between a theoretical value of a number-average molecular weight calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material and a number-average molecular weight of a perfluoropolyether compound that is produced, and also a reduced yield of the perfluoropolyether compound. Discrepancy between the theoretical value of the number-average molecular weight calculated from the number-average molecular weight of the raw material and the number-average molecular weight of the perfluoropolyether compound that is produced makes it difficult to produce a perfluoropolyether compound with a desired number-average molecular weight according to intended applications. The large discrepancy between the theoretical value and the measured value of the number-average molecular weight or the low yield of the perfluoropolyether compound is assumed to be derived from a large amount of components contained in the raw material, which cannot be collected even after fluorination. An expensive fluorine gas is consumed for fluorination of such components in the raw materials, resulting in high production cost.


Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of producing a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material polyether compound in high yield.


Solution to Problem

The present inventors investigated the cause in order to solve the aforementioned problem and have found that when a molecular weight distribution of a polyether compound used as a fluorination raw material is wide, the following tendencies are observed. Namely, a low molecular weight component that has been fluorinated in the polyether compound, has a low boiling point and flows out of a system with gas introduced during reaction, while a high molecular weight component that has been fluorinated precipitates as an insoluble solid and cannot be collected, resulting also in low yield. Such reduction in yield is also a factor that increases production cost. For example, when a polyether compound used as a fluorination raw material is synthesized by a known method such as sequential polymerization, the molecular weight distribution (also called polydispersity, and represented by Mw/Mn) can hardly be controlled, and the molecular weight distribution of the polyether compound tends to widen.


Then, the present inventors have found that, by using a polyether compound having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of not more than a predetermined value as a fluorination raw material, a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from the number-average molecular weight of the raw material can be produced in high-yield.


Configurations of the present invention are as follows:

    • [1] A method for producing a fluorinated polyether, comprising a step (1) of introducing a raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of 1.30 or smaller, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent into a reactor to fluorinate the raw material compound,





R4—O—(R1—O)x—R5  (X)

    • wherein R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R1 in each structural unit represented by (R1—O) are all the same, or are partially or totally different from each other; R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; and x represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 2.7 to 15.
    • [2] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to [1], comprising, before the step (1), a polyether synthesis step of carrying out a nucleophilic substitution reaction of two or more compounds having a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain to synthesize a polyether compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X).
    • [3] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to [2], wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting
    • a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, with
      • a compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end.
    • [4] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to [2] or [3], wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting
      • a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, with
      • a compound having hydroxyl groups at both ends of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain.
    • [5] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting
      • a compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, with
      • a compound having leaving groups at both ends of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain.
    • [6] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein a total proportion of compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound is 5% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis,





R4—O—(R1—O)r—R5  (X-1)

    • wherein R1, R4, R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and r represents 1 or 2.
    • [7] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein a total proportion of compounds represented by Formula (X-2) contained in the raw material compound is 15% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis,





R4—O—(R1—O)s—R5  (X-2)

    • wherein R1, R4, and R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and s is an integer and satisfies s≥(an average degree of polymerization x in Formula (X)+4).
    • [8] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [1] to [7],
      • wherein the raw material compound is a homopolymer in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) are all the same, and
      • a proportion of a single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 contained in the raw material compound is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis,





R4—O—(R1—O)t—R5  (X-3)

    • wherein R1, R4, and R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and t is an integer of 3 to 15.
    • [9] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [1] to [8], comprising, after the step (1), a step (2) of introducing a perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound into the reactor while distributing an inert gas and a fluorine gas in the reactor.
    • [10] The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the raw material compound is a compound of Formula (X) wherein R4 and R5 are acyl groups.
    • [11] A method for producing a compound represented by Formula (Y), comprising a step (3) of reacting a fluorinated polyether obtained by the production method according to any one of [1] to [10] with an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms,





R6O—(C═O)—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—(C═O)—OR7  (Y)

    • wherein Rf1 represents a divalent perfluorohydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; Rf1 in each structural unit represented by (Rf1—O) are all the same, or are partially or totally different from each other; Rf2 and Rf3 each independently represent a perfluorohydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and are determined according to a structure of a structural unit arranged at an end in Formula (X); R6 and R7 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and y represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 0.7 to 13.
    • [12] A method for producing a compound represented by Formula (Z), comprising a step (4) of reducing esters at both ends of a compound represented by Formula (Y) obtained by the production method according to [11],





HO—CH2—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—CH2—OH  (Z)

    • wherein Rf1, Rf2, Rf3, and y are the same as defined for Formula (Y).


Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material polyether compound, can be produced in high yield.


This facilitates producing a fluorinated polyether with a desired number-average molecular weight. Since a fluorine gas is not consumed for fluorination of a low molecular weight component and a high molecular weight component in the raw material polyether compound, the amount of fluorine gas used can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a 1H-NMR spectrum of the fluorination raw material in Example 1.



FIG. 2 is a 1H-NMR spectrum of the product of the step (3) in Example 1.



FIG. 3 is a 19F-NMR spectrum of the product of the step (3) in Example 1.



FIG. 4 is a GPC chart of the fluorination raw material in Example 1.



FIG. 5 is a GPC chart of the product of the step (3) in Example 1.





DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

A method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter.


The production method of the present embodiment is a method for producing a fluorinated polyether characterized by including a step (1) of introducing the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of 1.30 or smaller, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent into a reactor to fluorinate the raw material compound.





R4—O—(R1—O)x—R5  (X)


wherein R1 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R1 in each structural unit represented by (R1—O) are all the same, or are partially or totally different from each other; R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; and x represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 2.7 to 15.


<Step (1)>

In the step (1) of the production method of the present embodiment, the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of 1.30 or smaller, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent, are introduced in a reactor to fluorinate the raw material compound.


[Raw Material Compound Represented by Formula (X)]

In Formula (X), R1 in each structural unit independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon group may be a linear hydrocarbon group or a branched hydrocarbon group. R1 in Formula (X) is preferably a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include —CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH(CH3)—, —CH(CH3)—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—, —CH(CH3)—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH(CH3)—CH2—, and —CH2—CH2—CH(CH3)—. R1 in Formula (X) is more preferably a linear hydrocarbon group, i.e., —CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—, and further preferably —CH2—CH2—CH2—.


In Formula (X), R1 in each structural unit represented by (R1—O) are all the same, or are partially or totally different from each other. Namely, the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) may be a homopolymer (single polymer) in which R1 in each structural unit represented by (R1—O) are all the same, or may be a copolymer in which R1 in each structural unit represented by (R1—O) is at least partially different.


In a case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being a copolymer, the number of types of structural units represented by (R1—O) is not particularly limited. A sequence order of structural units is also not particularly limited, and may be a random sequence, a block sequence, and an alternating sequence, for example.


In Formula (X), x represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 2.7 to 15. x is an average degree of polymerization, and therefore is not necessarily an integer. x is preferably a real number of 2.8 to 12, more preferably a real number of 2.9 to 10, and further preferably a real number of 3 to 8. In the case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being a copolymer, x represents the total value of average degrees of polymerization for each type of structural unit.


In the case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being a homopolymer, examples thereof include the compound represented by Formula (X-a) as the raw material compound.





R4—O—(R1a—O)xa—R5  (X-a)


wherein R1a represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and the R1a's, the number of which is xa, are all the same; R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; xa represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 2.7 to 15.


In the case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being a copolymer, examples thereof include the compound represented by Formula (X-b) or Formula (X-c) as the raw material compound.





R4—O—(R1b—O)xb—(R1c—O)xc—R5  (X-b)


wherein R1b and R1c each independently represent a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and R1b and R1c have different structures; R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; xb and xc each represent an average degree of polymerization, and a sum of xb and xc is a real number of 2.7 to 15. A sequence order of the structural units represented by (R1b—O) and (R1c—O) is not particularly limited.





R4—O—(R1d—O)xd—(R1e—O)xe—(R1f—O)xf—R5  (X-c)


wherein R1d, R1e, and R1f each independently represent a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and R1d, R1e, and R1f are different structures from each other; R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; xd, xe, and xf each represent an average degree of polymerization, and the sum of xd, xe, and xf is a real number of 2.7 to 15; a sequence order of the structural units represented by (R1d—O), (R1e—O) and (R1f—O) is not particularly limited.


In the case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being a copolymer, it is specifically preferably the compound represented by Formula (X-b), in which a combination of R1b and R1c is a combination of two selected from —CH2—CH2—, —CH2—CH2—CH2—, or —CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—.


In Formula (X), R4 and R5 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group.


Examples of the protecting group for the hydroxyl group include an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a silyl group, and an alkyl group optionally having a substituent. Ra and R5 may be the same as or different from each other. R4 and R5 being the same as each other, facilitates synthesis and is preferred.


The acyl group is preferably represented by —(C═O)—R8 (wherein R8 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent). The hydrocarbon group more preferably has 1 to 3 carbon atoms.


In the case of R8 being an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, the alkyl group may be linear or may have a branch. Examples of the substituent include, for example, an alkoxy group, a fluoro group, a chloro group, and a bromo group.


When R8 is an aryl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, examples of the substituent include, for example, an alkoxy group, a fluoro group, a chloro group, a bromo group, an acetoxy group, and a nitro group.


Specific examples of the acyl group include a formyl group, an acetyl group, an ethoxyacetyl group, a fluoroacetyl group, a difluoroacetyl group, a trifluoroacetyl group, a chloroacetyl group, a dichloroacetyl group, a trichloroacetyl group, a bromoacetyl group, a dibromoacetyl group, a tribromoacetyl group, a propionyl group, a 2-chloropropionyl group, a 3-chloropropionyl group, a pentafluoropropionyl group, a butyryl group, a 2-chlorobutyryl group, a 3-chlorobutyryl group, a 4-chlorobutyryl group, a 2-methylbutyryl group, a 2-ethylbutyryl group, a heptafluorobutyryl group, a valeryl group, a 2-methylvaleryl group, a 4-methylvaleryl group, a perfluorovaleryl group, a hexanoyl group, a perfluorohexanoyl group, a heptanoyl group, a perfluoroheptanoyl group, an octanoyl group, a perfluorooctanoyl group, a nonanoyl group, a perfluorononanoyl group, an isobutyryl group, an isovaleryl group, a pivaloyl group, a benzoyl group, an o-chlorobenzoyl group, a m-chlorobenzoyl group, a p-chlorobenzoyl group, an o-acetoxy benzoyl group, a m-acetoxy benzoyl group, a p-acetoxy benzoyl group, an o-methoxybenzoyl group, a m-methoxybenzoyl group, a p-methoxybenzoyl group, an o-nitrobenzoyl group, a m-nitrobenzoyl group, a p-nitrobenzoyl group, an o-fluorobenzoyl group, a m-fluorobenzoyl group, a p-fluorobenzoyl group, and a pentafluorobenzoyl group.


Specific examples of the alkoxycarbonyl group include a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group, a 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl group, and an allyloxycarbonyl group.


Specific examples of the silyl group include a trimethylsilyl group, a triethylsilyl group, a t-butyldimethylsilyl group, and a t-butyldiphenylsilyl group.


Examples of the alkyl group optionally having a substituent include an alkyl group with a substituent selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group, an aryl group, and a halogenated acyl group, and an alkyl group without a substituent. The number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group is not particularly limited, and an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is usually used.


Specific examples of the alkyl group having an alkoxy group include a methoxymethyl group, a methoxyethoxymethyl group, and an 1-ethoxyethyl group. The alkyl group having an alkoxy group may be a cyclic ether forming an acetal structure or ketal structure together with an oxygen atom derived from the hydroxyl group in Formula (X), and specific examples thereof include a 2-tetrahydropyranyl group.


Specific examples of the alkyl group having an aryl group include a benzyl group, a trityl group, an o-methoxybenzyl group, a m-methoxybenzyl group, and a p-methoxybenzyl group.


Specific examples of the alkyl group having a halogenated acyl group include —CH2C(═O)F, —CH2C(═O)Cl, —CH2CH2C(═O)F, —CH2CH2C(═O)Cl, —CH2CH2CH2C(═O)F, and —CH2CH2CH2C(═O)Cl.


Specific examples of the alkyl group without a substituent include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an i-propyl group, an n-butyl group, and a t-butyl group.


Among the above, R4 and R5 are each more preferably an acyl group, further preferably an acetyl group, a trifluoroacetyl group, a propionyl group, a pentafluoropropionyl group, a butyryl group, and a heptafluorobutyryl group, and particularly preferably an acetyl group or a trifluoroacetyl group.


Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), is 1.30 or smaller. Mw/Mn of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) being 1.30 or smaller, enables producing a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from the number-average molecular weight of the raw material in high yield. Mw/Mn of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is preferably 1.20 or smaller, more preferably 1.10 or smaller, and further preferably 1.05 or smaller.


Methods of obtaining the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn of 1.30 or smaller is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a method of performing an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution, or a synthesis method by a polyether synthesis step, which will be described later.


In the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), a number-average molecular weight of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— (structure excluding R4 and R5 in Formula (X)) is preferably 130 or higher and 1,300 or lower, and more preferably 170 or higher and 870 or lower.


The total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is preferably 5% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.





R4—O—(R1—O)r—R5  (X-1)


wherein R1, R4, R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and r represents 1 or 2.


The compound represented by Formula (X-1) has the same R1, R4, and R5 as those of Formula (X) and r representing a degree of polymerization of 1 or 2, representing a low molecular weight component. The raw material compound represented by Formula (X) preferably has a low content of low molecular weight component. Using the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a low content of low molecular weight component facilitates obtaining a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material compound in high yield, in the step (1).


The total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound is more preferably 3% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, further preferably 2% or less, and particularly preferably 1% or less.


A method for calculating a peak area ratio of the compound represented by Formula (X-1) based on GPC analysis is determined by the method described in Examples.


In particular, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is a homopolymer (for example, the compound represented by Formula (X-a)) in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) is all the same, the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound falling within the above range facilitates obtaining a fluorinated polyether in high yield.


The total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-2) contained in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is preferably 15% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.





R4—O—(R1—O)s—R5  (X-2)


wherein R1, R4, and R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and s is an integer and satisfies s≥(average degree of polymerization x in Formula (X)+4).


The compound represented by Formula (X-2) has the same R1, R4, and R5 as those of Formula (X) and s representing a degree of polymerization of an integer value satisfying s≥(average degree of polymerization x in Formula (X)+4), representing a high molecular weight component. The raw material compound represented by Formula (X) preferably has a low content of high molecular weight component. Using the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a low content of high molecular weight component facilitates obtaining a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of a raw material compound in high yield, in the step (1).


The total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-2) in the raw material compound is more preferably 10% or less, further preferably 5% or less, and particularly preferably 1% or less, in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.


A method for calculating a peak area ratio of the compound represented by Formula (X-2) based on GPC analysis is determined by the method described in Examples.


In particular, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is a homopolymer (for example, the compound represented by Formula (X-a)) in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) is all the same, the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-2) contained in the raw material compound falling within the above range facilitates obtaining a fluorinated polyether in high yield.


It is preferred that the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is 5% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, and the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-2) is 15% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis. In this case, both a low molecular weight component and a high molecular weight component are reduced in the raw material compound, resulting in further facilitating obtaining, in the step (1), a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from a number-average molecular weight of the raw material compound in high yield.


In particular, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is a homopolymer (for example, the compound represented by Formula (X-a)) in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) is all the same, the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-1) and the total proportion of the compounds represented by Formula (X-2) contained in the raw material compound falling within the above ranges facilitate obtaining a fluorinated polyether in high yield.


When the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is a homopolymer (for example, the compound represented by Formula (X-a)) in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) is all the same, a proportion of the single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 contained in the raw material compound is preferably 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.





R4—O—(R1—O)t—R5  (X-3)


wherein R1, R4, and R5 are the same as defined for Formula (X), and t is an integer of 3 to 15.


The compound represented by Formula (X-3) has the same R1, R4, and R5 as those of Formula (X), and t representing a degree of polymerization is an integer of 3 to 15. The term the “proportion of the single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 contained in the raw material compound is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis” means, for example, that a proportion of only the compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is 3, contained in the raw material compound, is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis. Alternatively, it means, for example, that a proportion of only the compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is 4, contained in the raw material compound, is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis. Alternatively, it means, for example, that a proportion of only the compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is 5, contained in the raw material compound, is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.


In this case, the single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 occupies a major portion of the raw material compound, and the content of a compound with a different degree of polymerization from that of the single compound, is very small. Using such a raw material compound represented by Formula (X), facilitates obtaining a fluorinated polyether with a number-average molecular weight as theoretically calculated from the number-average molecular weight of the raw material compound in the step (1) in high yield.


The proportion of the single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 contained in the raw material compound is more preferably 98% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, further preferably 99% or more, and particularly preferably 99.5% or more.


A method for calculating a peak area ratio of the compound represented by Formula (X-3) based on GPC analysis is determined by the method described in Examples.


[Operation to Adjust Molecular Weight Distribution]

The production method of the present embodiment may include, before the step (1), a step of performing an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “molecular weight distribution adjustment step”).


In the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution of a polymeric compound having a structural unit (R1—O) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “compound to be adjusted”) is performed.


The compound to be adjusted has the same structural unit as that of Formula (X). Namely, the compound to be adjusted has structural units which are the same combination of (R1—O) as that in Formula (X).


As the compound to be adjusted, both a commercially available product and a synthetic product can be used, and the compound usually has a wide molecular weight distribution, ranging from a low molecular weight component to a high molecular weight component. Adjustment of this molecular weight distribution enables obtaining the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) described above.


For example, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X-a) that is a homopolymer is obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, the compound to be adjusted is a polymeric compound having a structural unit represented by (R1a—O).


For example, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X-b) that is a copolymer is obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, the compound to be adjusted is a polymeric compound having structural units represented by (R1b—O) and (R1c—O).


For example, when the raw material compound represented by Formula (X-c) that is a copolymer, is obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, the compound to be adjusted is a polymeric compound having structural units represented by (R1d—O), (R1e—O), and (R1f—O).


Specific examples of the compound to be adjusted include the compound represented by Formula (A) or Formula (B). In Formula (A) and Formula (B), R1 is the same as defined for Formula (X). That is, the compounds represented by Formula (A) and Formula (B) may be homopolymers or copolymers.


The compound represented by Formula (A) is a compound in which hydroxyl groups of a polyether compound are protected. The compound represented by Formula (B) is a compound in which hydroxyl groups of a polyether compound are not protected.





R2—O—(R1—O)p—R3  (A)


wherein R1 is the same as defined for Formula (X); R2 and R3 each independently represent a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; and p represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 1 or greater.





HO—(R1—O)q—H  (B)


wherein R1 is the same as defined for Formula (X); and q represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 1 or greater.


In one embodiment, the molecular weight distribution adjustment step includes a step (1A) of adjusting a molecular weight distribution of the compound represented by Formula (A). The compound represented by Formula (A) may be a commercially available product or a synthetic product.


In the case of the molecular weight distribution adjustment step including the step (1A), a step of protecting hydroxyl groups of a polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected (a compound in which hydrogen atoms are bonded in place of R2 and R3 in Formula (A)) prior to the step (1A) to obtain the compound represented by Formula (A), may be included. The polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected may be a commercially available product or a synthetic product. When synthesizing the polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected, it is preferably synthesized by sequential polymerization.


As the protecting groups represented by R2 and R3 in Formula (A), the protecting groups exemplified as R4 and R5 in Formula (X) can be used. R2 and R3 in Formula (A) may be the same as or different from R4 and R5 in Formula (X). In other words, protecting groups different from R4 and R5 in Formula (X) may be used as R2 and R3 in Formula (A), and a step of replacing the protecting groups may be carried out after the step (1A) to obtain the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). In this case, a protecting group suitable for adjusting a molecular weight distribution and a protecting group suitable for a fluorination reaction can be selected and used, respectively. In the case of R2 and R3 in Formula (A) being the same as R4 and R5 in Formula (X), the compound obtained in the step (1A) can be used as a raw material compound for the fluorination reaction, which is preferred.


p representing an average degree of polymerization in Formula (A) is a real number of 1 or greater, and it may be a real number of 1.5 to 30, or a real number of 2 to 20.


In one embodiment, the molecular weight distribution adjustment step includes a step (1B) of adjusting a molecular weight distribution of the compound represented by Formula (B). The compound represented by Formula (B) may be a commercially available product or a synthetic product. When synthesizing the compound represented by Formula (B), it is preferably synthesized by sequential polymerization.


q representing an average degree of polymerization in Formula (B) is a real number of 1 or greater, and it may be a real number of 1.5 to 30, or a real number of 2 to 20.


In the case of the molecular weight distribution adjustment step including the step (1B), a step (1C) of protecting a hydroxyl group of the compound obtained in the step (1B) after the step (1B), is preferably included.


As protecting groups used to protect hydroxyl groups in the step (1C), the protecting groups exemplified as R4 and R5 in Formula (X) can be used, and they may be the same as or different from R4 and R5 in Formula (X). In the case of the protecting groups used to protect hydroxyl groups in the step (1C) being the same as R4 and R5 in Formula (X), the compound obtained in the step (1C) can be used as a raw material compound for the fluorination reaction, which is preferred.


In the case of the molecular weight distribution adjustment step including the step (1B) and the step (1C), after the step (1C), a step (1D) of adjusting a molecular weight distribution of the compound obtained in the step (1C) may also be included. By performing the step of adjusting a molecular weight distribution two times, it is possible to adjust the molecular weight distribution at a higher level.


In the case of having protected hydroxyl groups in the step (1C) with protecting groups different from R4 and R5 in Formula (X), a step of replacing the protecting group may be carried out after the step (1D) to obtain the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). In this case, a protecting group suitable for adjusting a molecular weight distribution and a protecting group suitable for a fluorination reaction can be selected and used, respectively. In the case of having protected hydroxyl groups in the step (1C) with the same protecting groups as R4 and R5 in Formula (X), the compound obtained in the step (1D) can be used as a raw material compound for the fluorination reaction, which is preferred.


When synthesizing a polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected (a compound in which hydrogen atoms are bonded in place of R2 and R3 in Formula (A), or the compound represented by Formula (B)) by sequential polymerization, a conventionally known method can be used as the synthetic method. For example, a synthesis method by a polymerization reaction of diol, and a synthesis method by a ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ether, can be employed.


The polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected (the compound in which hydrogen atoms are bonded in place of R2 and R3 in Formula (A), or the compound represented by Formula (B)) can also be synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction between compounds having a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain). Specifically, the method described in the “Polyether synthesis step” below is preferably employed.


In the case of having a step of protecting a hydroxyl group of a polyether compound in which hydroxyl groups are not protected (a compound in which hydrogen atoms are bonded in place of R2 and R3 in Formula (A), or the compound represented by Formula (B)), a reacting agent used for the protection can be appropriately selected according to the type of protecting group. For example, in a case in which the protecting group is an acyl group and is represented by —(C═O)—R8 (wherein R8 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent), an acylating agent that is an acid halide such as R8—(C═O)Cl or R8—(C═O)F, or an acid anhydride such as R8—(C═O)—O—(C═O)—R8, can be used.


The acylating agent is specifically preferably acid halides such as CH3(C═O)F, CH3(C═O)Cl, CF3(C═O)Cl, CCl3 (C═O)Cl, CH3CH2 (C═O)F, CH3CH2 (C═O)Cl, CF3CF2 (C═O)F, CF3CF2 (C═O)Cl, CH3CH2CH2 (C═O)F, CH3CH2CH2 (C═O)Cl, CF3CF2CF2 (C═O)F, CF3CF2CF2 (C═O)Cl, and CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2 (C═O)F; and acid anhydrides such as CH3(C═O)—O—(C═O)CH3, CF3(C═O)—O—(C═O) CF3, CCl3(C═O)—O—(C═O) CCl3, CH3CH2 (C═O)—O—(C═O) CH2CH3, CF3CF2 (C═O)—O—(C═O) CF2CF3, CH3CH2CH2 (C═O)—O—(C═O) CH2CH2CH3, and CF3CF2CF2 (C═O)—O—(C═O) CF2CF2CF3.


The operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step is preferably at least one operation selected from an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution of a polymeric compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) so as to become narrower, or an operation to mix two or more monodisperse polymers of polymeric compounds having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) to adjust a molecular weight distribution of the mixture.


In the case of carrying out the step of adjusting a molecular weight distribution twice or more times in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, the operations to adjust a molecular weight distribution in each step may be the same or different. For example, in the case of the molecular weight distribution adjustment step including the steps (1B), (1C), and (1D) above, the operations to adjust a molecular weight distribution in the step (1B) and the step (1D) may be the same or different.


In the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, when performing an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution of a polymeric compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) so as to become narrower, a compound to be adjusted is a compound having a wide molecular weight distribution. Mw/Mn of the compound to be adjusted (Mw is a weight-average molecular weight and Mn is a number-average molecular weight) is not particularly limited as long as Mw/Mn of the compound to be adjusted is a greater value than Mw/Mn of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) to be obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. Usually, Mw/Mn of the compound to be adjusted is greater than 1.30, but a compound to be adjusted having a Mw/Mn of 1.30 or smaller may be adjusted so as to have a further narrower molecular weight distribution.


The operation of adjusting a molecular weight distribution so as to become narrower (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an “adjustment method 1”) is not particularly limited, but includes chromatography, distillation, extraction, crystallization, and filtration, for example.


In the case of using chromatography as the adjustment method 1, silica gel column chromatography is preferred. Examples thereof include, a method of performing fractionation by using a column packed with silica gel having a particle size (diameter) of 30 to 70 μm in a 10 to 100-fold amount (mass ratio) of the compound to be adjusted. In the silica gel column chromatography, examples of solvents to dissolve or disperse the compound to be adjusted include a single or mixed solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane, ethyl acetate, toluene, methylene chloride, methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol.


In the case of performing distillation as the adjustment method 1, fractional distillation under normal pressure or reduced pressure enables removal of a component contained in the compound to be adjusted and having a degree of polymerization that is unnecessary, or selective acquisition of a component contained in the compound to be adjusted and having a degree of polymerization that is necessary. An appropriate reflux ratio may be set in order to increase separation accuracy of compounds, or a filler may be used for rectification distillation.


In the case of performing extraction as the adjustment method 1, for example, allowing the compound to be adjusted to dissolve in water or an organic solvent followed by use of a solvent that is immiscible with it, enables removal of a component having a degree of polymerization that is unnecessary or acquisition of a component having a degree of polymerization that is necessary. A type of solvent used for extraction, a mixing ratio of the solvents, the number of extractions, and the like, can be adjusted according to the type of compound to be adjusted and a molecular weight of a component to be extracted.


In the case of performing crystallization as the adjustment method 1, for example, by a method of cooling a solution obtained by dissolving the compound to be adjusted in water or an organic solvent, or by a method of adding a poor solvent to the solution obtained by dissolving the compound to be adjusted in water or an organic solvent, the compound to be adjusted can partially precipitate as solid and can be separated. A type of solvent used for crystallization, a mixing ratio of the solvents, a crystallization temperature, and the like, can be adjusted according to the type of compound to be adjusted and a molecular weight of a component to be precipitated.


In the case of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step being a homopolymer (for example, the compound represented by Formula (X-a)), as the adjustment method 1, a method of mixing a compound to be adjusted with a monodisperse polymer having the same structural unit as that of the compound and a molecular weight close to that of the peak of the molecular weight distribution of the compound to be adjusted, can also be employed. By mixing the monodisperse polymer, the amount of the central molecular weight component in a molecular weight distribution becomes relatively larger than those of low molecular weight component and high molecular weight component, resulting in a narrower molecular weight distribution.


The monodisperse polymer refers to a polymer substantially composed of a compound with a single degree of polymerization and usually has no molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1). However, it is industrially difficult to use a completely monodisperse polymer, and therefore Mw/Mn of the monodisperse polymer can be 1.00 or more and smaller than 1.02, and Mw/Mn of the monodisperse polymer is preferably 1.00 or greater and 1.01 or smaller. For example, in the case of the single degree of polymerization being an integer represented by m, a proportion of a compound with a degree of polymerization other than m, contained in a monodisperse polymer can be 3% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis.


The monodisperse polymer may be obtained by performing an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution so as to become narrower, or the monodisperse polymer is preferably synthesized according to the method described in “Polyether synthesis step” which will be described below.


A mixing ratio of a compound to be adjusted and a monodisperse polymer, and a degree of polymerization of a monodisperse polymer to be mixed, can be adjusted according to a molecular weight distribution of the compound to be adjusted. For example, in a case in which the compound to be adjusted is the compound represented by Formula (A): R2—O—(R1—O)p—R3 wherein the definitions of R1, R2, R3, and p are as described above, having a molecular weight distribution, and a degree of polymerization of a compound contained in the highest proportion in the compound to be adjusted is 5, mixing the monodisperse polymer represented by R2—O—(R1—O)5—R3 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are the same as defined for Formula (A) with the compound to be adjusted, enables adjustment of molecular weight distribution of the compound to be adjusted so as to become narrower.


In the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, when performing an operation to adjust a molecular weight distribution of a polymeric compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) so as to become narrower, a difference in Mw/Mn before and after the adjustment (=(Mw/Mn of the compound to be adjusted)−(Mw/Mn of the compound after adjustment)) is greater than 0, and it may be 0.05 or more, may be 0.10 or more, may be 0.15 or more, or may be 0.20 or more.


In the molecular weight distribution adjustment step, an operation to mix two or more monodisperse polymers of polymeric compounds having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) to adjust a molecular weight distribution (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an “adjustment method 2”) may be performed. The monodisperse polymer is as described above. In the adjustment method 2, the number of the type of monodisperse polymer to be mixed may be two types, three types, or four or more types. By carrying out the adjustment method 2, it is possible to obtain the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) that is free of a low molecular weight component and a high molecular weight component, which are undesirable. Carrying out the adjustment method 2 enables adjusting a molecular weight distribution to have a discontinuous degree of polymerization.


A mixing ratio of a monodisperse polymer and a degree of polymerization of the monodisperse polymer to be mixed in the adjustment method 2 may be selected so that a molecular weight distribution after an operation to adjust it falls within a desired range. Examples of the method for adjusting a molecular weight distribution to have a discontinuous degree of polymerization include a method of mixing the monodisperse polymers represented by R2—O—(R1—O)3—R3 and R2—O—(R1—O)7—R3 wherein the definitions of R1, R2, and R3 are as described above.


[Polyether Synthesis Step]

The production method of the present embodiment may include, before the step (1), a step of synthesizing the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn of 1.30 or smaller. For example, before the step (1), preferably included is a step of carrying out a nucleophilic substitution reaction in which two or more compounds having a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain are reacted to synthesize a polyether compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “polyether synthesis step”). The polyether compound obtained in the polyether synthesis step may have hydroxyl groups at both ends of the compound, or one or both hydroxyl groups thereof may be protected by a protecting group. The protecting group of the hydroxyl group may be the same protecting group as that of Formula (X) or may be a different protecting group. When both ends of the polyether compound obtained in the polyether synthesis step have the same protecting groups as those of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), the compound can be used in the step (1) as is. When both ends of the polyether compound are hydroxyl groups, or when a hydroxyl group of the polyether compound is protected by a different protecting group from that of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), following a step of protecting a hydroxyl group with the same protecting group as that of the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), the compound can be used in the step (1).


In the polyether synthesis step, specifically, carrying out any of the following “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3”, or carrying out the reactions in combination of a plurality of reactions selected from the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3”, enables synthesizing a compound with a small Mw/Mn (preferably, a compound without molecular weight distribution).


The number of reactions carried out, selected from the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3” may be adjusted according to a structure of a polyether compound to be synthesized and a structure of a compound having a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) used in the reaction. When carrying out the reactions in combination of a plurality of the reactions selected from the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3”, the order of the reactions is not particularly limited.


“Reaction 1”

A method of reacting a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “compound having a leaving group at one end”) and a compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “protected diol compound”) to elongate the polyether chain, can be employed. The compound having a leaving group at one end can be reacted with the protected diol compound at a molar ratio of approximately 1:1, to elongate the polyether chain at one end of the protected diol compound. Specifically, for example, by using the compound represented by Formula (G) as the compound having a leaving group at one end and by using the compound represented by Formula (H) as the protected diol compound, a polyether chain can be elongated to obtain the polyether compound represented by Formula (G+H).





R9—(R1g—O)g—R10  (G)


wherein —(R1g—O)g— is a part of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X); R9 represents a leaving group; R10 represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; and g is an integer of 1 or greater.





HO—(R1h—O)h—R11  (H)


wherein —(R1h—O)h— is a part of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X); and R11 represents a protecting group for a hydroxyl group; and h is an integer of 1 or greater.





R10—(O—R1g)g—O—(R1h—O)h—R11  (G+H)


wherein the definitions of the symbols are the same as those of Formula (G) and Formula (H).


As the leaving group in the compound having a leaving group at one end, for example, a halogeno group, a tosyl group, a mesyl group, a triflyl group, a nonafluorobutanesulfonyl group, a fluorosulfonyl group, a chloromethanesulfonyl group, and a bromobenzenesulfonyl group, can be used. As the protecting group for a hydroxyl group in the protected diol compound, the protecting groups exemplified for R4 and R5 in Formula (X), can be used.


The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 1” has, at each end thereof, the protected hydroxyl group derived from the end not involved in the reaction in the compound having a leaving group at one end, and the protected hydroxyl group derived from the end not involved in the reaction in the protected diol compound. The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 1” may be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) as is, or a compound in which one or both of the protected hydroxyl groups are deprotected, and the hydroxyl group is then protected with a different protecting group, may be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). Following deprotection of one or both of protected hydroxyl groups in the polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 1”, then the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3” may be subsequently carried out to further elongate a polyether chain.


“Reaction 2”

A method of reacting a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end (a compound having a leaving group at one end) and a compound having hydroxyl groups at both ends of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “diol compound”) to elongate the polyether chain, can be employed. The compound having a leaving group at one end can be reacted with the diol compound at a molar ratio of approximately 2:1 to elongate the polyether chain at both ends of the diol compound. Specifically, for example, by using the compound represented by Formula (G) described above as the compound having a leaving group at one end and by using the compound represented by Formula (I) as the diol compound, a polyether chain can be elongated to obtain the polyether compound represented by Formula (2G+I).





HO—(R1i—O)i—H  (I)


wherein —(R1i—O)i— is a part of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X); and i is an integer of 1 or greater.





R10—(O—R1g)g—O—(R1i—O)i—(R1g—O)g—R10  (2G+I)


wherein the definitions of the symbols are the same as those of Formula (G) and Formula (I).


The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 2” has, at both ends thereof, the protected hydroxyl groups derived from the ends not involved in the reaction, in the compounds having a leaving group at one end. The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 2” may also be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) as is, or a compound in which one or both of the protected hydroxyl groups are deprotected and the hydroxyl group is then protected with a different protecting group, may be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). Following deprotection of one or both of protected hydroxyl groups in the polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 2”, then the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3” may be subsequently carried out to further elongate the polyether chain.


“Reaction 3”

A method of reacting a compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end (protected diol compound) and a compound having leaving groups at both ends of a polyether chain (or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “compound having leaving groups at both ends”) to elongate the polyether chain, can be employed. The protected diol compound can be reacted with the compound having leaving groups at both ends at a molar ratio of approximately 2:1, to elongate the polyether chain at both ends of the compound having leaving groups at both ends.


Specifically, for example, by using the compound represented by Formula (H) described above as the protected diol compound and by using the compound represented by Formula (J) as the compound having leaving groups at both ends, a polyether chain can be elongated to obtain the polyether compound represented by Formulae (2H+J).





R12—(R1j—O)j—R1j—R13  (J)


wherein —(R1j—O)j—R1j— is a part of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X); R12 and R13 each independently represent a leaving group; and j is an integer of 0 or greater.





R11—(O—R1h)h—O—(R1j—O)j—R1j—O—(R1h—O)h—R11  (2H+J)


wherein the definitions of symbols are the same as those in Formula (H) and Formula (J).


As the leaving group in the compound having leaving groups at both ends, leaving groups exemplified as the leaving group in the compound having a leaving group at one end can be used.


The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 3” has, at both ends thereof, the protected hydroxyl groups derived from the ends not involved in the reaction in the protected diol compounds. The polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 3” may also be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) as is, or a compound in which one or both of the protected hydroxyl groups have been deprotected, and the hydroxyl group has then been protected with a different protecting group, may be used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). Following deprotection of one or both of the protected hydroxyl groups in the polyether compound obtained by the “reaction 3”, then the “reaction 1”, “reaction 2”, or “reaction 3” may be subsequently carried out to further elongate the polyether chain.


In the polyether synthesis step, after having separately synthesized two or more polyether compounds having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X), these two or more compounds may be mixed together and used as the raw material compound represented by Formula (X). The compound synthesized in the polyether synthesis step has a small Mw/Mn (preferably, it has no molecular weight distribution), and therefore, by mixing two or more compounds, it is easy to adjust a molecular weight distribution so as to be in a desired range.


[Fluorination Reaction]

The equivalent of fluorine gas introduced into a reactor is preferably 1.0 to 5.0 equivalents, and more preferably 1.1 to 3.0 equivalents relative to the number of moles of hydrogen atoms contained in a raw material compound. The equivalent of fluorine gas being 1.0 equivalent or more relative to the number of moles of hydrogen atoms contained in a raw material compound, facilitates sufficient proceeding of fluorination reaction. The equivalent of fluorine gas being 5.0 equivalents or less relative to the number of moles of hydrogen atoms contained in a raw material compound, can prevent an unconsumed fluorine gas from being wasted.


A concentration of a fluorine gas to be distributed in a reactor is preferably 1 to 30% by volume, more preferably 10 to 20% by volume, based on the total volume of distribution gas (a fluorine gas+an inert gas). The fluorine gas concentration of 1% by volume or more can prevent the reaction time from becoming long due to a reduced reaction rate. The fluorine gas concentration being 30% by volume or less can prevent reaction runaway and generation of side reaction. Pressure in a reactor upon introduction of fluorine gas is preferably 0.08 to 0.12 MPa, more preferably normal pressure (0.1 MPa) to 0.115 MPa. The pressure of 0.12 MPa or lower can prevent the reaction runaway and generation of side reaction.


An inert gas is distributed into a reactor so that the fluorine gas concentration falls within the above range. The inert gas and fluorine gas may be introduced in separate systems, or mixture gas of inert gas and fluorine gas, in which the fluorine gas has been preliminarily diluted with the inert gas, may be introduced into a reactor. As the inert gas, nitrogen gas, helium gas, and argon gas are preferred because of their easy availability and handleability.


A solvent used in a fluorination reaction is not particularly limited, but a solvent with high solubility for a raw material compound and a product, which is the fluorinated polyether, is preferred, and a solvent that does not react with the raw material compound, the product, and a fluorine gas, is more preferred. Specifically, preferred is a solvent that is fully halogen-substituted and free of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds. The solvent that is fully halogen-substituted and free of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds is free of a C—H bond and a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, and therefore, a C—H bond or a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond in the solvent does not react with the fluorine gas, and an increase in the amount of fluorine gas used and a temperature rise due to reaction heat can be prevented. A decomposition reaction of the raw material compound by hydrogen fluoride, which is generated in the case of reaction between the C—H bond and the fluorine gas, also does not occur, which is preferred.


Examples of the solvent used in the fluorination reaction include a perhalogenated alkane, a perhalogenated polyether, a perhalogenated carboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof. The solvent may be used singly or in combinations with two or more types.


The perhalogenated alkane having 2 to 8 carbon atoms is preferred. The perhalogenated alkane containing a fluorine atom and a chlorine atom is more preferable from the viewpoint of solubility for a raw material compound, and includes, for example, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dichlorohexafluoropropane, and tetrachlorohexafluorobutane.


Examples of commercially available perhalogenated polyethers include, for example, DEMNUM (registered trademark) by DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., FLUORINERT (registered trademark) by 3M Japan Limited, GALDEN (registered trademark) by Solvay Specialty Polymers Japan K.K., KRYTOX (registered trademark) by The Chemours Company.


Examples of the perhalogenated carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof include trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoroacetic anhydride.


The solvent used in the fluorination reaction is preferably introduced into a reactor before introducing a raw material compound. It is preferable that an inert gas and a fluorine gas are distributed in a reactor before introducing the raw material compound to saturate a solvent with the fluorine gas.


A preferred method for introducing the raw material compound is a method of preparing the raw material solution obtained by dissolving the raw material compound in a solvent, and supplying the raw material solution into a reactor while distributing the inert gas and the fluorine gas in the reactor. As the solvent dissolving the raw material compound, solvents exemplified for the fluorination reaction can be used and is preferably the same as the solvent used in the fluorination reaction.


A concentration of the raw material compound in the reactor may be adjusted according to its solubility in the solvent, and it is preferably 0 to 3.0 mol/L and more preferably 0 to 1.5 mol/L. A supply rate of the raw material solution into the reactor may be adjusted so that the equivalent of the fluorine gas relative to the amount of raw material compound falls within the above range, depending on a concentration and a flow rate of the fluorine gas to be distributed.


In the step (1), the temperature in the reactor upon fluorine gas introduction is preferably −30 to 60° C. and more preferably −20 to 30° C.


In one embodiment, a temperature in a reactor upon the fluorine gas introduction is preferably 20 to 60° C. and more preferably 20 to 30° C. The temperature in the reactor is preferably equal to or higher than the boiling point of hydrogen fluoride (20° C.) in order to efficiently remove hydrogen fluoride that was produced as a by-product. In the case of the temperature being 20° C. or higher, hydrogen fluoride does not remain and a decomposition reaction of a raw material is less likely to occur, which is preferred. In the case of the temperature being 60° C. or lower, reaction runaway and generation of side reaction can be prevented, which is preferred.


In another embodiment, a temperature in a reactor upon fluorine gas introduction may be −30 to 20° C. or −20 to 0° C. In this case, it is preferable that in order to efficiently remove hydrogen fluoride that has been produced as a by-product, a dilution ratio of a nitrogen gas to a fluorine gas is increased or a hydrogen fluoride scavenger is used. Examples of the hydrogen fluoride scavenger include alkali metal fluorides such as sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride, and organic bases such as trialkylamine.


As a reactor in the fluorination reaction, a pressure-resistant reactor is preferably used, and an autoclave is usually used. A material of the reactor is not particularly limited, but a metal vessel made of stainless steel or nickel, or a vessel coated with a fluororesin is preferred because they are less reactive with a fluorine gas.


In the fluorination reaction, both of a distribution type reactor and a batch type reactor can be employed.


In the case of the distribution type reactor, a flow rate of a raw material solution supplied to the reactor is not particularly limited, but is adjusted according to the equivalent of fluorine gas relative to the amount of raw material compound, a size of the reactor, and pressure in the reactor, for example. The flow rate of the raw material solution supplied to the reactor is preferably 0.5 to 100 mmol/min and more preferably 2 to 30 mmol/min, based on the number of moles of hydrogen atoms contained in the raw material compound.


In the case of the batch type reactor, a pressure-controlled fluorine gas may be introduced from an entrance of the reactor as much as is consumed in the reaction.


The step (1) yields a fluorinated polyether in which hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms contained in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) are replaced with fluorine atoms. The step (1) can produce, for example, the compound represented by Formula (Xf).





Rf4—O—(Rf1—O)x—Rf5  (Xf)


wherein Rf1 represents a divalent perfluorohydrocarbon group in which all hydrogen atoms of R1 in Formula (X) are replaced with fluorine atoms; Rf4 represents a group in which all hydrogen atoms of R4 in Formula (X) are replaced with fluorine atoms; Rf5 represents a group in which all hydrogen atoms of R5 in Formula (X) are replaced with fluorine atoms; and x is the same as defined for Formula (X).


<Step (2)>

In the production method of the present embodiment, following the step (1), a step (2) of introducing a perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound into a reactor while distributing an inert gas and a fluorine gas in the reactor, may be carried out.


In a later stage of the fluorination reaction in the step (1), a reaction rate of the fluorination reaction may be reduced. Therefore, following the step (1), the step (2) of introducing a perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound into a reactor while distributing an inert gas and a fluorine gas, is preferably included. Introducing the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound allows an unsaturated bond in the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound to react with the fluorine gas to generate fluorine radicals. The generated fluorine radicals react with the raw material compound and fluorination proceeds, thereby enabling acceleration of the fluorination reaction by carrying out the step (2).


As the inert gas used in the step (2), the gas exemplified in the step (1) can be used. Flow rates of the inert gas and fluorine gas in the step (2) are preferably adjusted so that a concentration of the fluorine gas distributed in a reactor is within the range exemplified in the step (1).


Examples of the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound include hexafluorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, chloropentafluorobenzene, trichlorotrifluorobenzene, decafluorobiphenyl, octafluoronaphthalene, tetrachloroethylene, trichlorofluoroethylene, dichlorodifluoroethylene, trichlorotrifluoropropene, and dichlorotetrafluoropropene, with hexafluorobenzene being particularly preferred because of easy availability and handleability among them.


By using the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound in the step (2), the fluorine gas is not consumed for fluorination of C—H bond in the unsaturated hydrocarbon compound, as is the case of using an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound with C—H bonds such as benzene, and the amount of fluorine gas used does not increase, which is preferred.


A method of introducing the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound in the step (2) is preferably a method of dissolving the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound in a solvent and introducing and distributing a fixed amount of the compound into a reactor. The amount of perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound distributed is preferably 1/50 to 1/5 mol per mol, more preferably 1/30 to 1/10 mol per mol in terms of the number of moles of unsaturated bonds in the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound, relative to the amount of fluorine gas distributed. When the amount of perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound distributed is 1/50 mol per mol or more, proceeding of the fluorination reaction is not delayed, thereby making it possible to prevent a reaction time from prolonging. When the amount of perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound distributed is 1/5 mol per mol or less, the reaction runaway and generation of side reaction can be prevented.


Pressure in a reactor upon introduction of the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound is preferably 0.08 to 0.12 MPa, more preferably normal pressure (0.1 MPa) to 0.115 MPa. A temperature in the reactor upon introduction of the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound is preferably −30 to 60° C. and more preferably −20 to 30° C.


As a solvent used in the step (2), the same solvent as in the step (1) is preferably used. In the case of using a solvent different from that of the step (1), the solvent exemplified in the step (1) can be used.


In a case in which the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound is dissolved in a solvent and supplied to a reactor as a solution, a concentration of the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound in the supplying solution can be adjusted according to its solubility in the solvent, and the concentration is preferably 0.01 to 100 mol/L and more preferably 0.1 to 10 mol/L based on the number of moles of unsaturated bonds in the perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound.


<Step (3)>

In the production method of the present embodiment, following the step (1) or the step (2), a step (3) of reacting a fluorinated polyether with an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, may also be carried out.


The fluorinated polyethers generated in the step (1) and/or the step (2) may readily react with moisture in the atmosphere to form a carboxylic acid compound. Therefore, considering facilitation of handleability in the subsequent step, the step (3) is preferably carried out. In particular, in a case in which R4 and R5 are acyl groups in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), it is preferable to carry out the step (3).


Examples of the alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms include, methanol, ethanol, and n-propanol. Among them, methanol is preferred.


A reaction temperature in the step (3) is preferably −30 to 60° C. and more preferably −20 to 30° C. Reaction pressure is preferably 0.08 to 0.12 MPa and more preferably normal pressure (0.1 MPa) to 0.115 MPa.


The amount of alcohol introduced is preferably 2 to 10 equivalents and more preferably 3 to 5 equivalents, relative to the number of moles of reaction ends (theoretical amount based on the number of moles of a raw material compound) contained in the fluorinated polyether generated in the step (1) and/or the step (2).


In the case of R4 and R5 being acyl groups in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), among carbon atoms contained in the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— (structure excluding R4 and R5 in Formula (X)), the outermost carbon atom converts to a carbonyl carbon atom and acyl groups (Rf4 and Rf5 in Formula (Xf)) perfluorinated by the fluorination reaction are eliminated to generate acid fluoride. The acid fluoride reacts with an alcohol to generate a carboxylic acid ester.


For the case where the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) is a homopolymer, R1 is —CH2—CH2—, and R4 and R5 are acetyl groups, reactions of the step (1) to the step (3) are shown in Formula (i). The following formula represents a reaction when methanol is used in the step (3).




embedded image


Carrying out the step (3), in which the fluorinated polyethers generated in the step (1) and/or the step (2) are reacted with an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, enables, for example, production of the compound represented by Formula (Y).





R6O—(C═O)—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—(C═O)—OR7  (Y)


wherein Rf1 represents a divalent perfluorohydrocarbon group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; Rf1 in each structural unit represented by (Rf1—O) are all the same, or are partially or totally different from each other; Rf2 and Rf3 each independently represent a perfluorohydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and are determined according to a structure of a structural unit arranged at an end in Formula (X); R6 and R7 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and y represents an average degree of polymerization and is a real number of 0.7 to 13.


In Formula (Y), the structure represented by —O—(Rf1—O)y— corresponds to a structure in which all hydrogen atoms of R1 in a structure in which structural units arranged at both ends of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X) are excluded, are replaced with fluorine atoms. Therefore, in Formula (Y), a structure of Rf1 in each structural unit represented by (Rf1—O) and a sequence order of each structural unit represented by (Rf1—O), are determined according to the structure in which structural units arranged at both ends of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X) are excluded.


In Formula (Y), the structures represented by —(C═O)—Rf2— and —Rf3—(C═O)— are each derived from a structural unit arranged at each end of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X). Therefore, in Formula (Y), structures of the perfluorohydrocarbon groups represented by Rf2 and Rf3 are determined according to a structure of a structural unit arranged at an end in Formula (X). The number of carbon atoms contained in each of perfluorohydrocarbon groups represented by Rf2 and Rf3 is one less than the number of carbon atoms contained in a structural unit arranged at each end of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— in Formula (X).


In Formula (Y), the structures represented by R6O— and —OR7 are derived from alcohols used in the step (3).


A case in which, in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X), a structural unit arranged at each end of the structure represented by —O—(R1—O)x— has a branched structure, will be described. In this case, hydroxyl groups protected by the protecting groups represented by R4 and R5 in the raw material compound represented by Formula (X) are not necessarily primary hydroxyl groups (for example, hydroxyl group of —CH2OH), and can be secondary hydroxyl groups (for example, hydroxyl group of —CH(CH3)OH) or tertiary hydroxyl groups (for example, hydroxyl group of —C(CH3)2OH). When the step (3) is carried out after fluorination of such raw material compounds, a structure derived from the primary hydroxyl group converts to a carboxylic acid ester (for example, —(C═O)OCH3) as described above, while a structure derived from the secondary hydroxyl group is thought to convert to a ketone (for example, —(C═O)CF3) by elimination of fluoride.


A theoretical number-average molecular weight of a product of the step (3) is preferably 350 or higher and 4,000 or lower and more preferably 500 or higher and 2,600 or lower.


The measured value/theoretical value of the number-average molecular weight of the product of the step (3) is preferably 0.9 or more and 1.1 or less and more preferably 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less.


The product of the step (1), the step (2) or the step (3) can be isolated as a residue after a solvent is distilled off. Before the solvent is distilled off, it is preferable to wash the product with alkaline water in order to remove a by-product such as hydrogen fluoride generated in the fluorination reaction. The alkaline water is not particularly limited, but due to easy availability and handleability, sodium carbonate water or sodium hydrogen carbonate water is preferable. After having washed with alkaline water followed by having collected a solvent layer from the separated two layers, in order to completely remove water and hydrogen fluoride, a hydrogen fluoride scavenger and a drying agent are preferably added and stirred.


Examples of the hydrogen fluoride scavenger include alkali metal fluorides such as sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride, and an organic base such as trialkylamine. The hydrogen fluoride scavenger is preferably solid alkali metal fluoride because of easy separation thereof, and particularly preferably sodium fluoride.


As the drying agent, sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate is preferred.


After filtering off the solid, the solvent can be distilled off to isolate the product of the step (1), the step (2) or the step (3), and the recovered solvent can be easily reused, enabling reduction of loss of expensive solvent such as a fully halogen-substituted compound.


<Step (4)>

In the production method of the present embodiment, following the step (3), a step (4) of reducing esters at both ends of the compound obtained in the step (3), may be carried out. When the compound represented by Formula (Y) is obtained in the step (3), the compound represented by Formula (Z) can be produced by carrying out the step (4).





HO—CH2—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—CH2—OH  (Z)


wherein Rf1, Rf2, Rf3, and y are the same as defined for Formula (Y).


In the step (4), a known method for reducing the ester can be used. For example, a method of mixing the compound obtained in the step (3) with a reducing agent in a solvent, can be employed.


A solvent used in the step (4) is preferably an alcohol having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Because of high solubility of the compound obtained in the step (3), ethanol as the alcohol is particularly preferably used.


The reducing agent used in the step (4) is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of borohydride compounds such as sodium borohydride and lithium borohydride; alkaline earth metal salts of borohydride compounds such as magnesium borohydride and calcium borohydride; and aluminum hydride salts such as lithium aluminum hydride and sodium aluminum hydride. Among them, sodium borohydride is particularly preferred because of easy availability and handleability.


For example, in the case of carrying out the step (4) on the final product in Formula (i) represented in the step (3), the compound represented by Formula (ii) is generated. x in Formula (ii) is the same as defined for Formula (i).





HO—CH2—CF2—O—(CF2CF2O)x-2—CF2—CH2—OH  (ii)


Examples

The present invention will be specifically described below based on Examples, but the present invention is in no way limited to these Examples.


<NMR Measurement>

The number-average molecular weight by NMR measurement is the value measured by 1H-NMR and 19F-NMR using an AVANCEIII 400 manufactured by Bruker Biospin K. K. In NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements, a sample was diluted into d-chloroform or d-acetone solvent and used for the measurements. A 1H-NMR chemical shift reference was the tetramethylsilane peak at 0.0 ppm and a 19F-NMR chemical shift reference was the hexafluorobenzene peak at −164.7 ppm.


In Examples 1 to 6, 9 to 11, and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the average degree of polymerization and the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of each compound were calculated based on the following NMR measurement results.


HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ [ppm]=3.7 to 3.9 (4H), 3.4 to 3.6 (4 (u-1)H), 2.0 to 3.0 (2H), 1.7 to 1.9 (2 uH)


CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ [ppm]=4.0 to 4.3 (4H), 3.2 to 3.3 (4 (n-1)H), 2.0 (6H), 1.7 to 1.9 (2 nH)


CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m is an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=4.07 (6H)



19F-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=−84.2 to −84.3 (4mF), −86.1 to −86.4 (4F), −122.5 to −122.8 (4F), −129.8 to −130.2 (2mF)


HO—CH2—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m′—CF2CF2—CH2—OH wherein m′ represents an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=5.1 to 5.2 (2H), 4.0 to 4.1 (4H)



19F-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=−84.2 to −84.8 (4m′F), −86.4 to −87.3 (4F), −126.3 to −126.7 (4F), −129.8 to −130.2 (2m′F)


In Examples 7 and 8, the average degree of polymerization and the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of each compound were calculated based on the following NMR measurement results.


CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ [ppm]=4.2 to 4.3 (4H), 3.6 to 3.7 (4 (n-1)H), 2.0 (6H)


CH3O—(C═O)—CF2O—(CF2CF2O)m—CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization.



1H-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=4.06 (6H)



19F-NMR (acetone-D6): δ [ppm]=−78.5 to −78.6 (4F), −88.0 to −89.8 (4mF)


<GPC Measurement>

50 mg of a sample was dissolved in 1 mL of tetrahydrofuran and used as a measurement sample. GPC measurement conditions are shown below. “EasiVial PEG” manufactured by Agilent Technology Inc., was used as a standard material, and molecular weight distribution data (GPC chart) was obtained based on a calibration curve prepared using the standard material.

    • Apparatus name: an HPLC Prominence UFLC manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation
    • Column: Shodex (registered trademark) KF-402HQ (1 column) and KF-401HQ (3 columns), manufactured by Showa Denko K. K., connected in series and used.
    • Column temperature: 30° C.
    • Mobile phase: tetrahydrofuran
    • Injection volume: 1 μL
    • Flow rate: 0.2 mL/min
    • Detector: RI


Mw/Mn of each compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step (Examples 1 to 6) and Mw/Mn of the raw material in the step (1) were obtained from the GPC measurement results described above. Mn in Mw/Mn is the value obtained by GPC measurement, not by NMR.


Proportions of low molecular weight components (components with degrees of polymerization of 1 and 2) and high molecular weight components (components with degrees of polymerization of (average degree of polymerization+4) or higher), contained in the raw materials of the step (1), were calculated from the GPC measurement results described above. The total peak area of a raw material compound is an area of the entire peak excluding a peak of an impurity. Peaks of each degree of polymerization were vertically divided at their minimum and inflection points.







A


proportion


of


the


low


molecular


weight


component



(
%
)


=


(

Sum


of


peak


areas


of


components


weight


degrees


of


polymerization


of


1


and


2

)

/

(

Total


peak


area


of


raw


material


compound

)

×
100









A


proportion


of


high


molecular


weight


component



(
%
)


=


(

Sum


of


peak


areas


of


components


with


degrees


of


polymerization


of



(


average


degree


of


polymerization

+
4

)



or


higher

)

/






(

Total


peak


area


of


raw


material


compound

)

×
100





For some peaks of high molecular weight components that were hard to separate, the maximum value of a proportion of components with degrees of polymerization of (average degree of polymerization+4) or higher, was calculated based on a proportion of components with degrees of polymerization of (average degree of polymerization+3) or higher or a proportion of components with degrees of polymerization of (average degree of polymerization+2) or higher.


In Examples 9 to 11, the proportion of each component with a specific degree of polymerization (main component) contained in the raw material of the step (1) was calculated from the above GPC measurement results. The total peak area of a raw material compound is an area of entire peak excluding a peak of an impurity.







Proportion



(
%
)



of


the


component


with


a


degree


of





polymerization


of


3


in


the


raw


material


compound


of


Example


9

=


(

Total


peak


area


of


the


component


with


a


degree


of


polymerization


of


3

)

/






(

Entire


peak


area


of


the


raw


material


compound

)

×
100








Proportion



(
%
)



of


the


component


with


a


degree


of


polymerization





of


4


in


the


raw


material


compound


of


Example


10



(
%
)


=


(

Total


peak


area


of


the


component


with


a


degree


of


polymerization


of


4

)

/






(

Entire


peak


area


of


the


raw


material


compound

)

×
100








Proportion



(
%
)



of


the


component


with


a


degree


of


polymerization





of


5


in


the


raw


material


compound


of


Example


11



(
%
)


=


(

Total


peak


area


of


the


component


with


a


degree


of


polymerization


of


5

)

/






(

Entire


peak


area


of


the


raw


material


compound

)

×
100





In the same manner, a proportion of a component with a lower molecular weight than that of the main component and a component with a higher molecular weight than that of the main component, which are contained in the raw material of the step (1) were also calculated from the above GPC measurement results.


<Calculation of Collection Ratio in Steps (1) to (3)>







Collection


ratio



(
%
)


=


(

Mass


of


the


product


of


step



(
3
)




(
g
)

/
Theoretical


value


of


number
-
average


molecular


weight


of


the


product


of


step



(
3
)




(

g
/
mol

)


)

/






(

Mass


of


the


raw


material


in


the


step



(
1
)




(
g
)

/
Number
-
average


molecular


weight


of


the


raw


material


in


the


step



(
1
)




(

g
/
mol

)


)

×
100.





<Theoretical Values of Average Degree of Polymerization and Number-Average Molecular Weight>

When the raw material (fluorination raw material) of the step (1) is CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, and its average degree of polymerization is n, a number-average molecular weight of the fluorination raw material is 58.08n+102.09. A theoretical value of an average degree of polymerization of the product of the step (3) is represented as “n−2”, and a theoretical value of a number-average molecular weight of the product of the step (3) is represented as 166.02n+2.08.


When the raw material (fluorination raw material) of the step (1) is CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 and its average degree of polymerization is n, a number-average molecular weight of the fluorination raw material is 44.05n+102.09. A theoretical value of an average degree of polymerization of the product of the step (3) is represented as “n−2”, and a theoretical value of a number-average molecular weight of the product of the step (3) is represented as 116.01n+2.08.


Example 1
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization and w=4.51, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. Distillation under reduced pressure (200 to 240° C., 22 to 27 Pa) was performed on 118 g of the compound to be adjusted. Components with degrees of polymerization of 3 to 7 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.06, Mn of 338, and Mw/Mn=1.04 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 33%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of tetrachlorohexafluorobutane (hereinafter sometimes also referred to as “HFTCB”) and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa (gauge pressure), and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 39 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.06, Mn of 338, and Mw/Mn=1.04, was dissolved in 14.9 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.23 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of hexafluorobenzene (C6F6) was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 74 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 75 g of a product (collection ratio of 96%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=2.18, and Mn of 696.


The 1H-NMR spectrum of the fluorination raw material in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 1, the 1H-NMR spectrum of the product of the step (3) in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 2, the 19F-NMR spectrum of the product of the step (3) in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 3, the GPC chart of the fluorination raw material in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 4, and the GPC chart of the product of the step (3) in Example 1 is shown in FIG. 5. The numerical values shown in the GPC charts in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 represent degrees of polymerization of the components corresponding to each peak.


Example 2
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization and w=4.70, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 99 g of the compound to be adjusted was fractionated in two times by preparative chromatography (500 g of silica, normal hexane/ethyl acetate=90/10 to 0/100 (volume ratio)). Components with degrees of polymerization of 3 to 7 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.59, Mn of 369, and Mw/Mn=1.06 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 49%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 46 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.59, Mn of 369, and Mw/Mn=1.06, was dissolved in 17.5 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.23 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 80 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 92 g of a product (collection ratio of 97%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=2.68, and Mn of 779.


<Step (4)>

A reduction reaction of CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 obtained in the step (3) was carried out by the following method.


An eggplant flask was charged with 335 g of ethanol, cooled to 0° C., and then charged with 5.7 g of sodium borohydride. While cooling the solution to 0° C., 89.8 g of CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=2.68, and Mn of 779, was added dropwise at 2.7 g/min, and was washed in with 38 g of ethanol. The reaction was allowed to continue for 4.5 hours while the eggplant flask was brought to room temperature.


After completion of reaction, 38 mL of 4M hydrochloric acid was added dropwise to confirm that a pH of the solution was 3, and then a sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution (192 g of sodium bicarbonate, 200 mL of water) was added to confirm that a pH of the solution was 8. Ethanol was distilled off by an evaporator, and following addition of 250 mL of water, an aqueous layer was extracted in three times with 750 mL of ethyl acetate. After having dried the solution with magnesium sulfate, a solid was filtered off, and the solvent was distilled off by an evaporator to obtain 87.7 g (collection ratio of 106%) of a product HO—CH2—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m′—CF2CF2—CH2—OH wherein m′ represents an average degree of polymerization.


Example 3
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization and w=3.13, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. Distillation under reduced pressure (110 to 160° C., 106 to 200 Pa, with a filler DIXON PACKING having an outer diameter of 6 mm, manufactured by NIHON MESH KOGYO., LTD) was performed on 105 g of the compound to be adjusted. Components with degrees of polymerization of 1 and 2 were distilled off to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.72, Mn of 376, and Mw/Mn=1.16 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 66%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 34 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.72, Mn of 376, and Mw/Mn=1.16, was dissolved in 12.9 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.23 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 47 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 65 g of a product (collection ratio of 91%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=2.97, and Mn of 827.


Example 4
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H synthesized by sequential polymerization, wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, u=4.47, and Mn of 278, was used as the first compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 175 g of the compound to be adjusted and 175 g of water were mixed at room temperature and cooled to 5° C. to precipitate a solid. High molecular weight components were removed by filtering off the precipitated solid, and the residue was obtained by distilling off water from the filtrate (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 71%). HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)v—H (wherein v represents an average degree of polymerization, v=3.90, and Mn 245) obtained as the residue had Mw/Mn of 1.26.


HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)v—H was then reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends.


The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization, w=3.90 and Mn of 329 (calculated values based on the degree of polymerization before acetylation), was used as the second compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. Distillation under reduced pressure (110 to 180° C., 120 to 173 torr (16,000 to 23,000 Pa) with a filler DIXON PACKING having an outer diameter of 6 mm, manufactured by NIHON MESH KOGYO., LTD), was performed on 161 g of the compound to be adjusted. Components with degrees of polymerization of 1 and 2 were distilled off to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.87, Mn of 385, Mw/Mn=1.12 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 79%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 63 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.87, Mn of 385, and Mw/Mn=1.12 was dissolved in 24.0 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.23 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 105 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 127 g of a product (collection ratio of 96%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=3.09, and Mn of 847.


Example 5
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization and w=5.39, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 100 g of the compound to be adjusted was fractionated in two times by preparative chromatography (500 g of silica, normal hexane/ethyl acetate=90/10 to 0/100 (volume ratio)). Components with degrees of polymerization of 4 to 8 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=5.66, Mn of 431, and Mw/Mn=1.05 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 51%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 49 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=5.66, Mn of 431, and Mw/Mn=1.05, was dissolved in 18.8 mL of HFTCB to obtain a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.22 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 73 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 106 g of a product (collection ratio of 99%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=3.82, and Mn of 968.


Example 6
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization and w=7.35, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 117 g of the compound to be adjusted was fractionated in two times by preparative chromatography (500 g of silica, normal hexane/ethyl acetate=90/10 to 0/100 (volume ratio)). Components with degrees of polymerization of 5 to 9 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=6.88, Mn of 502, and Mw/Mn=1.04 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 22%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 25 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=6.88, Mn of 502, and Mw/Mn=1.04, was dissolved in 9.7 mL of HFTCB to obtain a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.22 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 32 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 56 g of a product (collection ratio of 98%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=5.06, and Mn of 1174.


Example 7
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, which was a commercially available product, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 62 g of the compound to be adjusted was fractionated by preparative chromatography (400 g of silica, normal hexane/ethyl acetate/isopropyl alcohol=80/20/0 to 0/100/0 to 0/80/20 (volume ratio)). Components with degrees of polymerization of 5 to 8 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=6.46, Mn of 387, and Mw/Mn=1.02 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 49%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 42 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=6.46, Mn of 387, and Mw/Mn=1.02, was dissolved in 15.9 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.25 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 69 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 71 g of a product (collection ratio of 87%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2O—(CF2CF2O)m—CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=4.48, and Mn of 754.


Example 8
<Molecular Weight Distribution Adjustment Step>

HO—(CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, which was a commercially available product, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. The resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)w—(C═O)—CH3, wherein w represents an average degree of polymerization, w=7.65, and Mn of 439, was used as the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step. 62 g of the compound to be adjusted was fractionated by preparative chromatography (500 g of silica, normal hexane/ethyl acetate=90/10 to 0/100 (volume ratio)). Components with degrees of polymerization of 6 to 9 were fractionated to obtain CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=7.50, Mn of 433, and Mw/Mn=1.02 (collection ratio (mass ratio) of 48%), as a raw material compound with an adjusted molecular weight distribution.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 29 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 obtained in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=7.50, Mn of 433, and Mw/Mn=1.02, was dissolved in 149.6 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 1.45 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 43 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 49 g of a product (collection ratio of 84%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2O—(CF2CF2O)m—CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=5.36, and Mn of 856.


Example 9
<Polyether Synthesis Step>

The compound represented by CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)3—(C═O)—CH3 was synthesized by the following method.




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First, 3-(benzyloxy) propyl p-toluenesulfonate was synthesized by the following procedure.


A 3 L three-neck flask with a thermometer, a dropping funnel and a stirrer was added with 3-benzyloxy-1-propanol (molecular weight 166.22, 149.60 g, 900 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and dichloromethane (900 m L) and was cooled in an ice bath. p-Toluenesulfonyl chloride (molecular weight 190.64, 188.73 g, 990 mmol, and 1.10 eq.) was added in batch, and triethylamine (molecular weight 101.19, 109.29 g, 1080 mmol, and 1.20 eq.) was then added dropwise over 30 minutes. Thereafter, the ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 36 hours. The flask was cooled in an ice bath and was added with distilled water (1000 mL). The two layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with dichloromethane (500 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried with sodium sulfate. After filtration of a drying agent, the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 298 g of a crude product as yellow oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 3-(benzyloxy)propyl p-toluenesulfonate (molecular weight 320.41, 253.76 g, 792 mmol, and yield 88%) as pale yellow oil.


Thereafter, a 1,3-propanediol trimer (HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)3—H) was synthesized by the following procedure.


A 3 L three-necked flask with a thermometer, a reflux tube, and a mechanical stirrer was added with 1,3-propanediol (molecular weight 76.10, 25.11 g, 330 mmol, and 1.00 eq.), 3-(benzyloxy)propyl p-toluenesulfonate (molecular weight 320.41, 253.76 g, 792 mmol, and 2.40 eq.), and toluene (1560 mL) and the mixture was stirred. Tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (molecular weight 339.54, 112.05 g, 330 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and a 50% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (1,305 g, 16.31 mol, and 49.43 eq.) were added and then heated to reflux with vigorous stirring. After 24 hours of heating, the reaction was stopped by pouring the reaction solution into 5% hydrochloric acid (6 L) while cooling the solution on ice. The reaction solution was transferred to a separating funnel to separate into two layers, and the aqueous layer was extracted three times with ethyl acetate (2 L). The organic layers were combined and dried with sodium sulfate. After filtration of a drying agent, the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 98.5 g of a crude product as yellow oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 1,3-propanediol trimer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 372.51, 87.28 g, 234 mmol, and yield 71%) as pale yellow oil.


A 3 L three-necked flask was added with the synthesized 1,3-propanediol trimer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 372.51, 87.28 g, 234 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and methanol (1,500 mL), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature to prepare a solution. 10% Pd/C (8.73 g) was added, the inside of the flask was substituted with hydrogen gas, and the solution was then vigorously stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction solution was filtered through Celite and the residue was washed with methanol (200 mL). The filtrate was concentrated and vacuum dried to give 87.6 g of a crude product as colorless oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 1,3-propanediol trimer (molecular weight 192.26, 41.83 g, 218 mmol, and yield 93%) as colorless oil.


The resulting 1,3-propanediol trimer was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends to synthesize the compound represented by CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O) 3—(C═O)—CH3.


In such a manner, CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=2.98, Mn of 275, and Mw/Mn=1.00 as a raw material compound, was obtained. The proportion of the component with a degree of polymerization of 3 (CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)3—(C═O)—CH3) in the raw material compound was 98.58%.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 55 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the polyether synthesis step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=2.98, Mn of 275, and Mw/Mn=1.00, was dissolved in 21.0 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.22 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 129 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 92 g of a product (collection ratio of 93%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=1.02, and Mn of 503.


Example 10
<Polyether Synthesis Step>

CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)4—(C═O)—CH3 was synthesized by the following method.




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First, a 1,3-propanediol dimer (HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)2—H) was synthesized by the following procedure.


A 3 L three-necked flask with a thermometer, a reflux tube, and a mechanical stirrer was added with 3-benzyloxy-1-propanol (molecular weight 166.22, 54.85 g, 330 mmol, and 1.00 eq.), 3-(benzyloxy)propyl p-toluene sulfonate (molecular weight 320.41, 126.88 g, 396 mmol, and 1.20 eq.), and toluene (1,560 mL), and the mixture was stirred. Tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (molecular weight 339.54, 112.05 g, 330 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and a 50% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (1,305 g, 16.31 mol, and 49.43 eq.) were added and then heated to reflux with vigorous stirring. After 24 hours of heating, the reaction was stopped by pouring the reaction solution into 5% hydrochloric acid (6 L) while cooling the solution on ice. The reaction solution was transferred to a separating funnel to separate into two layers, and the aqueous layer was extracted three times with ethyl acetate (2 L). The organic layers were combined and dried with sodium sulfate. After filtration of a drying agent, the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 85.9 g of a crude product as yellow oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 1,3-propanediol dimer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 314.43, 83.01 g, 264 mmol, and yield 80%) as pale yellow oil.


A 3 L three-necked flask was added with the synthesized 1,3-propanediol dimer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 314.43, 83.01 g, 264 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and methanol (1,500 mL), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature to prepare a solution. 10% Pd/C (8.30 g) was added, the inside of the flask was substituted with hydrogen gas, and the solution was then vigorously stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction solution was filtered through Celite and the residue was washed with methanol (200 mL). The filtrate was concentrated and vacuum dried to give 34.1 g of a crude product as colorless oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 1,3-propanediol dimer (molecular weight 134.18, 33.30 g 248 mmol, and yield 94%) as colorless oil.


Thereafter, a 1,3-propanediol tetramer (HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)4—H) was synthesized by the following procedure.


A 3 L three-necked flask with a thermometer, a reflux tube, and a mechanical stirrer was added with the 1,3-propanediol dimer (molecular weight 134.18, 33.30 g, 248 mmol, and 1.00 eq.), 3-(benzyloxy)propyl p-toluene sulfonate (molecular weight 320.41, 190.71 g, 595 mmol, and 2.40 eq.) and toluene (1,560 mL), and the mixture was stirred. Tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (molecular weight 339.54, 84.21 g, 248 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and a 50% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (972 g, 12.15 mol, and 49.00 eq.) were added and then heated to reflux with vigorous stirring. After 24 hours of heating, the reaction was stopped by pouring the reaction solution into 5% hydrochloric acid (6 L) while cooling the solution on ice. The reaction solution was transferred to a separating funnel to separate into two layers, and the aqueous layer was extracted three times with ethyl acetate (2 L). The organic layers were combined and dried with sodium sulfate. After filtration of a drying agent, the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 72.2 g of a crude product as yellow oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield a 1,3-propanediol tetramer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 430.59, 70.48 g, 164 mmol, and yield 66%) as pale yellow oil.


A 3 L three-necked flask was added with the synthesized 1,3-propanediol tetramer dibenzyl protected product (molecular weight 430.59, 70.48 g, 164 mmol, and 1.00 eq.) and methanol (1,500 mL), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature to prepare a solution. 10% Pd/C (7.05 g) was added, the inside of the flask was substituted with hydrogen gas, and the solution was then vigorously stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction solution was filtered through Celite and the residue was washed with methanol (200 mL). The filtrate was concentrated and vacuum dried to give 71.6 g of a crude product as colorless oil. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield a 1,3-propanediol tetramer (molecular weight 250.34, 37.77 g, 151 mmol, and yield 92%) as colorless oil.


The resulting 1,3-propanediol tetramer was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends to synthesize the compound represented by CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)4—(C═O)—CH3.


In such a manner, CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.02, Mn of 336, and Mw/Mn=1.00 as a raw material compound, was obtained. The proportion of the component with a degree of polymerization of 4 (CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)4—(C═O)—CH3) in the raw material compound was 99.43%.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 33 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the polyether synthesis step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.02, Mn of 336, and Mw/Mn=1.00, was dissolved in 167 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 1.39 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 62 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 64 g of a product (collection ratio of 98%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=2.05, and Mn of 674.


Example 11
<Polyether Synthesis Step>

CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)5—(C═O)—CH3 was synthesized by the following method.




embedded image


Using 1,3-propanediol trimer (HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)3—H) and 3-(benzyloxy)propyl p-toluenesulfonate as raw materials, the same operation as in Example 10 was performed to obtain a 1,3-propanediol pentamer (molecular weight 308.42, 42.87 g, and 139 mmol).


The resulting 1,3-propanediol pentamer was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends to synthesize the compound represented by CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)5—(C═O)—CH3.


In such a manner, CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=5.03, Mn of 394, and Mw/Mn=1.00 as a raw material compound, was obtained. The proportion of the component with a degree of polymerization of 5 (CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)5—(C═O)—CH3) in the raw material compound was 99.75%.


<Step (1)>

A 5 L autoclave was introduced with 3,100 mL of HFTCB and then sealed. An operation of introducing a nitrogen gas to the autoclave until inner pressure thereof reached 0.3 MPa, and slowly releasing the inner pressure to normal pressure was performed 10 times, to purge the autoclave. 15 g of CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3, obtained in the polyether synthesis step wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=5.03, Mn of 394, and Mw/Mn=1.00, was dissolved in 5.7 mL of HFTCB to prepare a raw material solution. A fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas were distributed at 588 mL/min and 4,600 mL/min, respectively, and while cooled to an internal temperature of 25° C., the raw material solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.22 g/min on a solution mass basis, to carry out a fluorination reaction.


<Step (2)>

1.87 g of C6F6 was dissolved in 73 mL of HFTCB to prepare a C6F6 solution. An inner temperature in the autoclave was adjusted to 25 to 30° C., and the C6F6 solution was introduced and distributed at a flow rate of 0.83 g/min on a solution mass basis while distributing a fluorine gas and a nitrogen gas at 150 mL/min and 1,350 mL/min, respectively.


<Step (3)>

Following completion of introduction of the C6F6 in the step (2), the distribution of fluorine gas and nitrogen gas was continued for 10 minutes, the distribution of the fluorine gas was then terminated, and the nitrogen gas was distributed at 1,350 mL/min for 1 hour to purge the autoclave. While distributing the nitrogen gas, 24 g of methanol was introduced.


A reaction solution collected from the autoclave was washed with sodium carbonate water. After separation of the solution into two layers, an organic solvent layer was collected, dried with sodium sulfate and sodium fluoride, and then the solid was filtered off. The solvent was distilled off by using an evaporator to obtain 31 g of a product (collection ratio of 97%). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=3.04, and Mn of 839.


Comparative Example 1

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. Except that 48 g of the resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=4.68, Mn of 374, and Mw/Mn=1.44, was subjected to the step (1) as a fluorination raw material, reactions were carried out in the same manner as in the step (1) to the step (3) of Example 1 to obtain 87 g (collection ratio 88%) of a product of the step (3). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=3.94 and Mn of 988.


Comparative Example 2

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. Except that 42 g of the resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=7.83, Mn of 557, and Mw/Mn=1.58 was subjected to the step (1) as a fluorination raw material, reactions were carried out in the same manner as in the step (1) to the step (3) of Example 1 to obtain 63 g (collection ratio 64%) of a product of the step (3). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=4.57 and Mn of 1093.


Comparative Example 3

HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H wherein u represents an average degree of polymerization, synthesized by sequential polymerization, was reacted with acetyl chloride to acetylate hydroxyl groups at both ends. Except that 40 g of the resulting CH3—(C═O)—O—(CH2CH2CH2O)n—(C═O)—CH3 wherein n represents an average degree of polymerization, n=8.58, Mn of 600, and Mw/Mn=1.43 was subjected to the step (1) as a fluorination raw material, reactions were carried out in the same manner as in the step (1) to the step (3) of Example 1 to obtain 82 g (collection ratio 86%) of a product of the step (3). As a result of having analyzed the obtained product by 19F-NMR, it was confirmed to be CH3O—(C═O)—CF2CF2O—(CF2CF2CF2O)m—CF2CF2—(C═O)—OCH3 wherein m represents an average degree of polymerization, m=5.75 and Mn of 1289.


For each of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, Table 1 lists the number-average molecular weight (Mn), average degree of polymerization, and Mw/Mn, of the compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step; the number-average molecular weight (Mn), average degree of polymerization, Mw/Mn, range of the degree of polymerization, proportion of the low molecular weight component, and proportion of the high molecular weight component, of the raw material in the step (1); the measured values of the number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, and theoretical values of the number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, of the product of the step (3); and the collection ratio in the reactions of steps (1) to (3). In the column of compound to be adjusted in the molecular weight distribution adjustment step of Example 4 in Table 1, the upper row shows the measured values of compound in which the hydroxyl groups were not protected (HO—(CH2CH2CH2O)u—H) and the lower row shows the measured values of the compound in which the hydroxyl groups were protected (the number-average molecular weight and average degree of polymerization were calculated values based on the degree of polymerization before acetylation of the hydroxyl groups).


For each of Examples 7 and 8, Table 2 lists the number-average molecular weight (Mn), average degree of polymerization, Mw/Mn, range of the degree of polymerization, proportion of the low molecular weight component, and proportion of the high molecular weight component, of the raw material in the step (1); the measured values of number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, and the theoretical values of number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, of the product of the step (3); and the collection ratio in the reactions of steps (1) to (3).


For each of Examples 9 to 11, Table 3 lists the number-average molecular weight (Mn), average degree of polymerization, Mw/Mn, degree of polymerization of the main component, proportion of the lower molecular weight component than that of the main component, proportion of the main component, and proportion of the higher molecular weight component than that of the main component, of the raw material in the step (1); the measured values of number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, and the theoretical values of number-average molecular weight (Mn) and the average degree of polymerization, of the product of the step (3); and the collection ratio in the reactions of steps (1) to (3).












TABLE 1









Compound to be adjusted in molecular





weight distribution adjustment step














Number-







average




molecular




weight
Average degree of

Adjustment method in molecular



R1 in formula (X)
(Mn)
polymerization
Mw/Mn
weight distribution adjustment step





Example 1
—CH2CH2CH2
364
4.51
1.35
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 3 to 7 were







acquired by distillation under







reduced pressure


Example 2
—CH2CH2CH2
375
4.70
1.38
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 3 to 7 were







acquired by preparative







chromatography.


Example 3
—CH2CH2CH2
284
3.13
1.41
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 1 and 2 were







distilled off by distillation under







reduced pressure.


Example 4
—CH2CH2CH2
 278*1
 4.47*1
 1.35*1
The high molecular weight







component was removed by







crystallization




 329*2
 3.90*2
1.23
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 1 and 2 were







distilled off by distillation under







reduced pressure.


Example 5
—CH2CH2CH2
415
5.39
1.41
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 4 to 8 were







acquired by preparative







chromatography.


Example 6
—CH2CH2CH2
529
7.35
1.55
The components with degrees of







polymerization of 5 to 9 were







acquired by preparative







chromatography.


Comparative
—CH2CH2CH2






Example 1


Comparative
—CH2CH2CH2






Example 2


Comparative
—CH2CH2CH2






Example 3












Raw material of step (1)


















Proportion of
Proportion of high







low molecular
molecular weight







weight
component



Number-



component
Components with degrees



average



Components
of polymerization of



molecular
Average

Range of
with degrees of
(average degree of



weight
degree of

degree of
polymerization
polymerization + 4) or



(Mn)
polymerization
Mw/Mn
polymerization
of 1 and 2
higher





Example 1
338
4.06
1.04
3 to 7
0.87%
Degrees of polymerization








of 9 or higher








0.08%


Example 2
369
4.59
1.06
3 to 7
0.27%
Degrees of polymerization








of 9 or higher








Less than 1.46%


Example 3
376
4.72
1.16
3 or higher
2.25%
Degrees of polymerization








of 9 or higher








14.21%


Example 4
385
4.87
1.12
3 or higher
0.89%
Degrees of polymerization








of 9 or higher








7.66%


Example 5
431
5.66
1.05
4 to 8
  0%
Degrees of polymerization








of 10 or higher








0.48%


Example 6
502
6.88
1.04
5 to 9
  0%
Degrees of polymerization








of 11 or higher








Less than 1.49%


Comparative
374
4.68
1.44
1 or higher
7.93%
Degrees of polymerization


Example 1





of 9 or higher








35.44%


Comparative
557
7.83
1.58
1 or higher
2.63%
Degrees of polymerization


Example 2





of 12 or higher








46.34%


Comparative
600
8.58
1.43
1 or higher
1.97%
Degrees of polymerization


Example 3





of 13 or higher








32.54%













Product of step (3)
















Theoretical value





Measured value of

of number-



number-average
Measured value of
average
Theoretical value of
Collection ratio



molecular weight
average degree of
molecular weight
average degree of
in steps (1) to



(Mn)
polymerization
(Mn)
polymerization
(3)





Example 1
696
2.18
676
2.06
96%


Example 2
779
2.68
764
2.59
97%


Example 3
827
2.97
786
2.72
91%


Example 4
847
3.09
811
2.87
96%


Example 5
968
3.82
942
3.66
99%


Example 6
1174
5.06
1144
4.88
98%


Comparative
988
3.94
779
2.68
88%


Example 1


Comparative
1093
4.57
1302
5.83
64%


Example 2


Comparative
1289
5.75
1427
6.58
86%


Example 3





*1The measured value of the compound HO-(CH2CH2CH2O)u-H in which the hydroxyl groups were not protected.


*2The calculated value based on the degree of polymerization before acetylation of the hydroxyl groups.















TABLE 2









Raw material of step (1)























Proportion









Proportion of
of high









low molecular
molecular weight









weight
component









component
Components with





Number-



Components
degrees of




Adjustment method in
average



with degrees
polymerization of



R1 in
molecular weight
molecular
Average

Range of
of
(average degree



formula
distribution
weight
degree of

degree of
polymerization
of polymerization +



(X)
adjustment step
(Mn)
polymerization
Mw/Mn
polymerization
of 1 and 2
4) or higher





Example
—CH2CH2
The components with
387
6.46
1.02
5 to 8
0%
Degrees of


7

degrees of





polymerization




polymerization of





of 11 or




5 to 8 were acquired by





higher




preparative





0%




chromatography.


Example
—CH2CH2
The components with
433
7.50
1.02
6 to 9
0%
Degrees of


8

degrees of





polymerization




polymerization of





of 12 or




6 to 9 were acquired by





higher




preparative





Less than




chromatography.





0.74%













Product of step (3)














Measured value of
Measured value of
Theoretical value of
Theoretical value of




number-average
average degree of
number-average
average degree of
Collection ratio in



molecular weight (Mn)
polymerization
molecular weight (Mn)
polymerization
steps (1) to (3)





Example
754
4.48
752
4.46
87%


7


Example
856
5.36
872
5.50
84%


8


















TABLE 3









Raw material of step (1)























Proportion of








Proportion of

component with




Number-



component with

higher




average


Degree of
lower molecular

molecular




molecular
Average

polymerization
weight than that
Proportion of
weight than that




weight
degree of

of main
of main
main
of main



R1 in formula (X)
(Mn)
polymerization
Mw/Mn
component
component
component
component





Example 9
—CH2CH2CH2
275
2.98
1.00
3
Degrees of
Degree of
Degrees of








polymerization of
polymerization
polymerization








2 or lower
of 3
of 4 or higher








1.29%
98.58%
0.13%


Example
—CH2CH2CH2
336
4.02
1.00
4
Degrees of
Degree of
Degrees of


10





polymerization of
polymerization
polymerization








3 or lower
of 4
of 5 or higher








0.43%
99.43%
0.14%


Example
—CH2CH2CH2
394
5.03
1.00
5
Degrees of
Degree of
Degrees of


11





polymerization of
polymerization
polymerization








4 or lower
of 5
of 6 or higher








0.03%
99.75%
0.22%













Product of step (3)
















Theoretical value of





Measured value of
Measured value of
number-average
Theoretical value of



number-average molecular
average degree of
molecular weight
average degree of
Collection ratio in



weight (Mn)
polymerization
(Mn)
polymerization
steps (1) to (3)





Example
503
1.02
497
0.98
93%


9


Example
674
2.05
669
2.02
98%


10


Example
839
3.04
837
3.03
97%


11









In each of Examples 1 to 11, Mw/Mn of the raw material compound in the step (1) is 1.30 or smaller, thereby enabling production of the compound with the number-average molecular weight close to the theoretical value through the reactions in steps (1) to (3) in high yield. Each of Examples 9 to 11 using the raw material compound composed of the compound with an almost single degree of polymerization in the step (1), exhibited a particularly small difference between the theoretical value of the number-average molecular weight and the measured value thereof. In contrast, each of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was found to exhibit a larger difference between the theoretical value of the number-average molecular weight and the measured value thereof, and also a low yield of the product of the step (3).

Claims
  • 1. A method for producing a fluorinated polyether, comprising a step (1) of introducing a raw material compound represented by Formula (X) having a Mw/Mn representing a molecular weight distribution of 1.30 or smaller, an inert gas, a fluorine gas, and a solvent into a reactor to fluorinate the raw material compound, R4—O—(R1—O)x—R5  (X)
  • 2. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, comprising, before the step (1), a polyether synthesis step of carrying out a nucleophilic substitution reaction of two or more compounds having a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain to synthesize a polyether compound having the same structural unit as that of Formula (X).
  • 3. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 2, wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, witha compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end.
  • 4. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 2, wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting a compound having a leaving group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, witha compound having hydroxyl groups at both ends of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain.
  • 5. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 2, wherein the polyether synthesis step comprises a step of reacting a compound having a hydroxyl group at one end of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain, and a protected hydroxyl group at the other end, witha compound having leaving groups at both ends of a polyether chain or a monomer unit that will constitute a polyether chain.
  • 6. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, wherein a total proportion of compounds represented by Formula (X-1) contained in the raw material compound is 5% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, R4—O—(R1—O)r—R5  (X-1)
  • 7. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, wherein a total proportion of compounds represented by Formula (X-2) contained in the raw material compound is 15% or less in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, R4—O—(R1—O)s—R5  (X-2)
  • 8. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, wherein the raw material compound is a homopolymer in which R1 in each structural unit in Formula (X) are all the same, anda proportion of a single compound represented by Formula (X-3) in which t is one integer selected from 3 to 15 contained in the raw material compound is 97% or more in terms of peak area ratio based on GPC analysis, R4—O—(R1—O)t—R5  (X-3)
  • 9. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, comprising, after the step (1), a step (2) of introducing a perhalogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon compound into the reactor while distributing an inert gas and a fluorine gas in the reactor.
  • 10. The method for producing a fluorinated polyether according to claim 1, wherein the raw material compound is a compound of Formula (X) wherein R4 and R5 are acyl groups.
  • 11. A method for producing a compound represented by Formula (Y), comprising a step (3) of reacting a fluorinated polyether obtained by the production method according to claim 1 with an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R6O—(C═O)—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—(C═O)—OR7  (Y)
  • 12. A method for producing a compound represented by Formula (Z), comprising a step (4) of reducing esters at both ends of a compound represented by Formula (Y) obtained by the production method according to claim 11, HO—CH2—Rf2—O—(Rf1—O)y—Rf3—CH2—OH  (Z)
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
2021-166426 Oct 2021 JP national
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/JP2022/037645 10/7/2022 WO