Perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) is a perfluorinated compound used as a precursor to fluoropolymers. It is the simplest unsaturated perfluoroether.
Preparation.
Preparation begins with hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) and carbonyl fluoride over a metal fluoride catalyst. The fluoride reacts with the carbonyl, forming a perfluoroalkoxide anion. The anion attacks the electrophilic central carbon atom of HFPO in a nucleophilic ring-opening reaction similar to anionic polymerization. Elimination of fluoride regenerates the catalyst and yields perfluoro(2-methoxy propionyl fluoride). The acyl fluoride is then treated with potassium hydroxide to produce the perfluorocarboxylate.
The carboxylate is then heated, causing decarboxylation followed by elimination of fluoride to form the vinyl ether.