New fluorinated cyclophosphazenes: synthesis, properties, applications

The work presents the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated cyclophosphazenes, which are readily soluble in supercritical CO2 and can be used as textile finishing chemicals in a supercritical CO2 deposition process. The reaction of hexachlorocyclophosphazene with sodium alcoholate of 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluoro-1-octanol was performed. The reaction product analysis suggested that all parent hexachlorocyclophosphazene molecules participated in the reaction, 4- and 5-substituted fluorinated cyclophosphazene molecules comprised most of the reaction product. Cloud point measurements confirmed that the product is soluble in supercritical CO2 at moderate conditions. Fluorinated cyclophosphazene coating was deposited from solutions in supercritical CO2 onto cotton textile. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the coating is deposited uniformly. The textile after treatment was hydrophobic with an initial contact angle of 106 ± 8 degrees. The obtained fluorinated cyclophosphazenes can be considered as building blocks for the further development of phosphazenes that are soluble in sc CO2 and can be used as hydrophobic finishing chemicals with improved properties.