Reactivity of 2-perfluoroalkylethanoic acids: Preparation of original surfactants and application to gel-emulsion formulations

2H, 2H-perfluoroalkylethanoic acids give, under mild conditions, in the pre sence of alcoholic potassium hydroxide, corresponding enol ethers or ketals in very good yield. The reduction of the acid function of these derivative s and the aminolysis of the corresponding eaters lead to relatively hydroph obic surfactants. These compounds have been tested to determine if they giv e stable gel-emulsions from fluorocarbons.