Fluorinated cationic surfactant

Abstract

A composition comprising a fluorinated pyridinium cationic compound of formula (I) wherein Rf is R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 ) n —, R 1 is a C 7 to C 20 perfluoroalkyl group interrupted by at least one catenary oxygen atom, each oxygen bonded to two carbon atoms, n is an integer of 1 to 3, and R is H, C 1 to C 5 linear or branched alkyl, or C 1 to C 5 linear or branched alkoxy, having surfactant properties for lowering surface tension in an aqueous medium or solvent medium, and for use as a foaming agent.

1 . A compound of formula (I) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein
 Rf is R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 ) n —, 
 R 1  is a C 7  to C 20  perfluoroalkyl group interrupted by at least one catenary oxygen atom, each oxygen bonded to two carbon atoms, 
 n is an integer of 1 to 3, and 
 R is H, C 1  to C 5  linear or branched alkyl, or C 1  to C 5  linear or branched alkoxy. 
 
     
     
         2 . The compound of  claim 1  wherein n is 1. 
     
     
         3 . The compound of  claim 1  having a surface tension of about 25 mN/m or less at a concentration of 0.1% by weight in aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The compound of  claim 1  having a surface tension of about 20 mN/m or less at a concentration of 0.1% by weight in aqueous solution. 
     
     
         5 . The compound of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid or a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, saline solution, KCl solution, HCl solution, hydrocarbon, halocarbon, drill fluid, well fluid, liquid treatment stream for subterranean formations and gas treatment stream for subterranean formations. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein the compound of formula (I) is present at a concentration range of from 0.001% to 50% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said compound is present at a concentration range of from 0.01% to 30% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The compound of  claim 1  in the form of a foam. 
     
     
         9 . A method of modifying a surface effect of an aqueous medium or solvent medium comprising contacting the medium with a compound of formula (I) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein,
 Rf is R 1 (CH 2 CH 2 ) n —, 
 R 1  is a C 7  to C 20  perfluoroalkyl group interrupted by at least one oxygen atom, 
 n is an integer of 1 to 3, and 
 R is H, C 1  to C 5  linear or branched alkyl, or C 1  to C 5  linear or branched alkoxy. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of water, saline solution, KCl solution, HCl solution, drill fluids, well fluids, liquid treatment or gas treatment stream for subterranean formation and well bore areas, hydrocarbon, halocarbon system, coating composition, latex, polymer, floor finish, floor polish, fire fighting agent, ink, emulsifying agent, foaming agent, release agent, repellency agent, flow modifier, film evaporation inhibitor, wetting agent, penetrating agent, cleaner, grinding agent, electroplating agent, corrosion inhibitor, etchant solution, soldering agent, dispersion aid, microbial agent, pulping aid, rinsing aid, polishing agent, personal care composition, drying agent, antistatic agent, and bonding agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the surface effect is lowering the surface tension. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the surface effect is selected from the group consisting of wetting, penetration, spreading, leveling, flowing, emulsifying, dispersing, repelling, releasing, lubricating, etching, bonding, and stabilizing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the compound of formula (I) is added to a medium to be contacted with a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the medium is a fluid injected into the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the medium is selected from the group consisting of water, saline solution, KCl solution, HCl solution, hydrocarbons, halocarbons, drill fluids, well fluids, stimulating fluids, and liquid treatment or gas treatment stream for subterranean formation and well bore areas. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in the medium at a concentration of from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the medium containing the compound of formula (I) is to be contacted with the subterranean formation during an operation to remove hydrocarbons from the formation for stimulating production of such removal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the medium containing the compound of formula (I) is to be contacted with the subterranean formation during an operation to prevent or remedy water blocks or condensate blocks.