Synthesis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of poly(α‐ethyl‐α‐methyl‐β‐propiolactone) terminated with a perfluoroalkyl group

Perfluorinated carboxylates are efficient initiators of the α‐ethyl‐α‐methyl‐β‐propiolactone polymerization resulting in perfluoroalkyl‐terminated polyester. The X‐ray photoelectron spectra of the C8F17‐end‐capped polyester agree with an enrichment in fluorine atoms of the surface layer corresponding to an average number of 7 perfluoro groups per chain or to 36,6 wt.‐% of C8F17‐groups instead of 8,4 wt.‐% as calculated for a random distribution.