The synthesis and chemical reactivity of a variety of fluorinated reactive intermediates and related species will be investigated. Among the intermediates to be characterized spectroscopically are triplet halocarbenes and difluorovinylidene. In addition, the thermal and photochemical reactivity of fluorinated cumulones, difluorocyclopropenone, difluoroacetylene, and fluoropropynoyl fluoride, will be studied. In the case of the fluorinated cumulenones, as well as partially fluorinated fused cyclobutenes, semi-fluorinated polymers will be synthesized and characterized with respect to conductivity and selected physical properties. In an attempt to define new methods for carbene production, photolysis of cyclic alkene derived ozonides will be investigated. %%% This grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the continuing investigation of reactive fluorinated compounds by Professor W. P. Dailey at the University of Pennsylvania. A major goal of the research will be to generate, detect, and follow the subsequent reactions of highly reactive intermediates called carbenes which only exist at room temperature for a fraction of a second. Special spectroscopic techniques are required to identify these reactive carbenes, which are important since they control the rate and type of products formed in a variety of chemical transformations. A secondary goal of the project will be to synthesize and characterize polymeric materials with fluorine groups attached. Such materials are of particular importance in fabricating surfaces with low surface tension capable of repelling water.
