Synthesis and cationic photopolymerization of a new fluorinated oxetane monomer

A new fluorinated oxetane monomer (FOX) was prepared using a fluorinated alcohol by phase transfer catalysis in a Williamson ether synthesis. The new fluorinated monomer was used in cationic photopolymerization as comonomer of 3,3'-[oxydi(methylene)]bis(3-ethyloxetane). The presence of the FOX monomer induces a decrease of the glass transition temperature, thermal stabilization and an increase of the final oxetane group conversion. Completely hydrophobic surfaces were obtained with a selective enrichment of the fluorinated comonomer, as confirmed by contact angle and XPS analysis. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.