Perfluoropolyethers modified with quinone compounds in the polymeric chain and process for their preparation

Claim 1

A process for the preparation of a modified perfluoropolyether which comprises reacting (1) a starting perfluoropolyether containing peroxidic oxygen and having the formula: (A - O (CF2O)Q- (CF2-CF2O)R-(O)S-B) A - O- (CF2O)Q-(CF2-CF2O)R-(O)Z-D wherein the recurring units have a random distribution along the polymeric chain; each of A and D are terminal groups selected from the group consisting of -CF3, -COF and -CF2-COF; Q and R are each integers from 1 to 150, Z is an integer from one to 50; the sum (Q+R) is a number between about 11 and 200; the ratio Q/R is a number between about 0.2 and 5; and the ratio Z/(Q+R) is a number between about 0.01 and 0.4; with (2) a quinone compound selected from the group consisting of o- and p-benzoquinone, the partially and completely halogenated o- and p-benzoquinones, the halogenated and unhalogenated o- and p- naphthoquinones, and halogenated and unhalogenated anthraquinone, wherein the halogens are selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine and bromine, said reaction being performed either (i) in the presence of ultraviolet light, at least a portion of the radiations of which have a wavelength between about 200 and 300 millimicrons, at a temperature of about 20* to 30* C., or (ii) at an elevated temperature between about 100* and 350* C., whereby to cause a gradual breaking down of the peroxidic bridges of the perfluoropolyether and the insertion at the peroxidic bridge sites, within the perfluoropolyether macromolecular chains, of 0.1 to 10 percent by weight based on the weight of the modified perfluoropolyether of quinone monomeric units.