Low Fluorinated Oligoamides for Use As Wood Protective Coating

New highly hydrophobic fluorinated oligoamides were synthesized and studied as materials for the protection of non-varnishable wooden artifacts. The new oligoamides were designed to achieve the best performance (including high chemical affinity to the wood material) and the lowest environmental impact. In order to minimize the risk of bioaccumulation, short perfluoroalkyl side chains were reacted with oligoethylene L-tartaramide (ET), oligoethylene adipamide-L-tartaramide (ETA), oligoethylene succinamide-L-tartaramide (EST), oligoethylene succinamide (ES), and oligodiethylenetriamino-L-tartaramide (DT). Favorable reaction conditions were also adopted to obtain low molecular weight compounds characterized by non-film-forming properties and solubility or dispersibility in environmentally friendly organic solvents. Their behavior in terms of modification of the wood surface characteristics, such as wettability, moisture absorption, and color, was analyzed using a specific diagnostic protocol to rapidly obtain preliminary, but reliable, results for optimizing a future synthesis of new and tailored protectives. The influence of different monomer units on the reactivity, solubility, and hydrophobic properties of different oligoamides was compared showing ESF (contact angle 138.2°) and DF (132.2°) as the most effective products. The study of stability to photochemical degradation confirms ESF as promising protective agents for artefacts of historical and artistic interest in place of long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), products currently subject to restrictions on use.