Copolycondensation polymerization of fluoropolymers

1. A process for the manufacture of fluorinated copolymers comprising:

A) charging a reactor with a nitrogen-based ligand and a copper (I) halide catalyst;

B) adding to the reactor a telechelic fluoroazido compound of formula N 3 (Y) p —(CH 2 ) n —R—(CH 2 ) m —(Y) p N 3 wherein Y is SO, SO 2 , C 6 H 4 , or CO, p=0 or 1, n and m are independently 1 to 4, and R is selected from the group consisting of i) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), ii) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, iii) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), and iv) an oligomer comprising copolymerized units of tetrafluoroethylene and a hydrocarbon olefin;

C) adding to the reactor a telechelic diyne or dinitrile compound; and

D) reacting said fluoroazido compound (B) and said telechelic diyne or dinitrile compound (C) to form a fluorinated copolymer.

2. A process of claim 1 wherein said copper(I) halide catalyst is generated from reaction of a copper(II) halide with a reducing agent.

3. A process of claim 1 wherein said nitrogen based ligand is selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-bipyridine, hexamethylene tetramine, 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde alkylimine, multidendate linear polyamines, 1,10-phenanthroline, and 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine.

4. A process of claim 1 wherein said oligomers have a number average molecular weight between 1000 and 25,000.

5. A process of claim 4 wherein said oligomers have a number average molecular weight between 1500 and 5,000.

6. A process of claim 1 wherein said telechelic dinitrile is of the formula NC—(CF 2 ) n —CN wherein n is an integer between 2 and 20.

7. A process of claim 1 wherein said telechelic diyne is selected from the group consisting of HC≡C—(CF 2 ) n —C≡CH wherein n is an integer between 2 and 20; and α,ω-dipropargyl ether bisphenol AF.