Highly fluorinated amphiphilic molecules and self-assemblies with biomedical potential

This overview covers recent literature on fluorinated amphiphiles and self-assemblies of biomedical interest. It includes 1) “standard” perfluoroalkylated surfactants, 2) (perfluoroalkyl)alkyl diblock amphiphiles, 3) amphiphilic biomimetics bearing multiple CF3 groups, and 4) the environmental issues raised by perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate and related compounds.