Synthesis of α,ω-bis(3-aminopropyldiethoxylsilane) Poly(tri fluoropropylmethyl)siloxanes

High molecular weight α,ω-bis(3-aminopropyldiethoxylsilane) poly(tri fluoropropylmethyl)siloxanes (APTFPMS) were prepared via a “one-step” process, based on the ring-opening polymerization of 1,3,5-tris(trifluoropropylmethyl) cyclotrisiloxane (F3) in the presence of water and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). GPC, FT-IR and 1H NMR confirmed the structure of the polymers. It was found that the amount of APTES had significant influence on the reaction rate and the molecular weights of polymers decreased with the increasing amount of water. It was probably because both water and the amino group of APTES favoured generation of hydroxyl ions, which efficiently initiate the polymerization of F3 to achieve APTFPMS. In order to verify this mechanism, another “two-step” process was also performed: Firstly the α,ω-dihydroxylated poly(trifluoropropylmethyl) siloxanes were synthesized from F3 catalyzed by both diaminoethane and water, then reacted with APTES to achieve APTFPMS. All the syntheses had high yields and the molecular weight of the polymers ranged from 2000 to 25000.