Architecture and applications of novel molecular assemblies imparted by the aggregations of fluoroalkyl segments

It was demonstrated that a series of fluoroalkylated end-capped oligomers c ontaining various functional segments such as carboxy, amide, betaine, and hydroxy groups can be prepared by the use of fluoroalkanoyl peroxides as ke y intermediates. These thus-obtained fluoroalkylated end-capped oligomers w ere soluble in water and organic solvents, and were capable of reducing the surface tension of water effectively with a clear break point resembling a CMC, which is almost the same level as that achieved by the usual low mole cular weight fluorinated surfactants. This is a unique and interesting feat ure of our fluoroalkylated end-capped oligo-surfactants. Furthermore, fluor oalkylated end-capped oligomers were suggested to form the molecular assemb lies imparted by strong aggregation of the fluoroalkylated end-groups in aq ueous solutions, and fluoroalkylated end-capped acrylic acid and sulfonic a cid oligomers were also shown to be potent and selective inhibitors of huma n immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. More interestingly, fluor oalkylated end-capped oligomers containing betaine or hydroxy segments coul d cause gelation, where the synergistic interactions of both the strong agg regation of the end-capped fluoroalkyl segments and the ionic or hydrogen-b onding interaction are involved in establishing a gel network in water and polar organic solvents.