Oligo- and poly-carbonates terminated with silicon containing groups as surface modifiers

A process for reducing the surface energy of synthetic polymers which process comprises incorporating therein or applying thereto a compound of the formula I

• wherein
• R0 is a direct bond
• —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2— or
• R1 and R2 are each independently of the other a silicon containing group,
• R3 and R4 are each independently of the other hydrogen a fluorine containing group a silicon containing group, C1-C12 alkyl, phenyl or
• R3 and R4 together with the carbon atom to which the are bonded form a C5-C8 cycloalkylidene ring that is unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 C1-C4 alkyl groups;
• R5 R6 R7 and R8 are each independently of the other hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl or C3-C12 alkenyl,
• X1 and X are each independently of the other C1-C12 alkylene or C4-C25 alkylene interrupted with oxygen;
• Y1 and Y2 are each independently of the other a direct bond, oxygen,
• R9 and R10 are each independently of the other a direct bond or C1-C4 alkylene,
• R11, R12 and R13 are each independently of the other hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl or C3-C12 alkenyl,
• R14 is hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl or a silicon containing group,
• m is 0 to 10,000, and
• n is 0 to 10,000 and
• where the silicon containing group is of formula II
• wherein
• R17, R18, R19 and R20 are each independently of the other C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 alkyl substituted with
• hydroxy or amino;
• C4-C12 hydroxyalkyl interrupted with oxygen;
• or
• R21 is C1-C12 alkyl or
• R22, R23, R24, R25, R26, R27, R28 and R29 are each independently of the other C1-C12 alkyl or C1-C12 alkyl substituted with hydroxy or amino;
• p is 0 to 200 and
• q is 0 to 200.