Synthesis of a novel perfluorinated vinyl ether containing sulfonimide and phosphonic acid functionalities

The novel perfluorinated vinyl ether containing sulfonimide and phosphonic acid functionalities, CF^2=CFOCF^2CF(CF^3)-OCF^2CF^2SO^2NHSO^2(CF^2)^2P(O)(OH)^2, has been synthesized by multiple reaction steps. It is a very strong bi-functional acid and exhibits a high degree of stability in aqueous solution at an elevated temperature. These properties make it an attractive monomer for the preparation of the co-polymer with TFE to obtain the high quality ionomer membrane and proton conductor.