Fluoroalkyl silanes are a class of compounds useful for various industrial
purposes. For example, fluoroalkyl silanes which have hydrolysable groups
(called hydrolysable fluoroalkyl silanes), are compounds useful as
surface treatment agents which provide durable hydrophobic and oleophobic
coatings. In general, hydrolysable fluoroalkyl silanes can be represented
with the following formula: (RO--).sub.3Si--R.sub.T wherein R is H or an
alkyl; and R.sub.T is a monovalent organic compound terminated by a
perfluoroalkyl group. When used to coat a surface, the (RO--).sub.3
moiety reacts (via hydrolysis) with various chemical groups of the
surface (e.g., hydroxyl, amine, or other reactive groups) thereby bonding
the fluoroalkyl silane to the surface The R.sub.T moiety comprises a
divalent organic linking group which links the silicon atom to a terminal
group rich in fluorine atoms whose unique electronic properties impart
desirable hydrophobic and oleophobic properties in a surface coating.
Modification of the R.sub.T moiety is useful in the engineering of
fluoroalkyl silanes. The present invention provides for fluoroalkyl
silanes having R.sub.T moieties which have not been heretofore
considered.