Dendronized Hyperbranched Macromolecules: Soft Matter with a Novel Type of Segmental Distribution

Dendronization of a hyperbranched polyester with different generation dendrons leads to pseudo‐dendritic structures. The hyperbranched core is modified by the divergent coupling of protected monomer units to the functional groups. Compared to dendrimers, the synthetic effort is significantly less, but the properties are very close to those of high‐generation dendrimers. The number of functional groups, molar mass, and rheology behavior even in the early generation (G1–G4) pseudo‐dendrimers strongly resembles the behavior of dendrimers in higher generations (G5–G8). Comparison of the segmental and internal structure with perfect dendrimers is performed using SANS, dynamic light scattering and viscosity analysis, microscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. The interpretation of the results reveals unique structural characteristics arising from lower segmental density of the core, which turns into a soft nano‐sphere with a smooth surface even in the first generation.     

Synthesis and characterization of dendronized hyperbranched polymers through the “A<Subscript>3</Subscript>+B<Subscript>2</Subscript>” approach

Dendronized hyperbranched polymer (DHP) is a new kind of polymer, which combines the advantages of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers. In this work, two dendronized hyperbranched polymers, DHPG0 and DHPG1, were successfully prepared through the simple “A₃+B₂” type Sonogashira coupling reaction. The nonlinear optical (NLO) effects of DHPG0 and DHPG1, characterized by the d ₃₃ values, were 183 and 220 pm V^–1 respectively, higher than those of their analogues of dendronized polymers and dendrimers, thanks to the special topological structure. Also, the obtained polymers displayed excellent solubility, good processability, and high thermal stability.     

From Nitro‐ to Sulfonyl‐Based Chromophores: Improvement of the Comprehensive Performance of Nonlinear Optical Dendrimers

Through the combination of the divergent and convergent approaches, coupled with the utilization of the powerful Sharpless “click‐chemistry” reaction, two series of sulfonyl‐based high‐generation NLO dendrimers were conveniently prepared with high purity and in satisfactory yields. Thanks to the perfect three‐dimensional (3D) spatial isolation from the highly branched structure and the isolation effect of the exterior benzene moieties and the interior triazole rings, these dendrimers exhibited large second harmonic generation coefficient (d₃₃) values up to 181 pm V^?1, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest value so far for polymers containing sulfonyl‐based chromophore moieties. Meanwhile, compared with the nitro‐chromophore‐based analogues, their optical transparency and NLO stability were improved in a large degree, due to the lower dipole moment (μ) and the special main‐chain structure of sulfonyl‐based chromophore in these dendrimers.     

Molecular modelling of hyperbranched polyacetylene

Ab initio and density functional theory calculations carried out on linear and dendritic polyacetylenic (PA) oligomers of different size showed that acetylenic dendrimers are less stable than trans‐PA oligomers and that the instability increases with molecular weight reflecting the strain in crowded hyperbranched structures. However, the energy difference between linear and dendritic structure is rather small and tends to a limit with molecular weight. Twisting of the double bonds decreases the conjugation in hyperbranched PA compared to linear trans‐PA. However, the conjugation though less effective than in trans‐PA is extended up to the 4^th or 5^th generation of dendrimers. It was shown that bromine end groups strongly affect the electronic properties of acetylenic dendrimers decreasing even more the conjugation due to the sterical hindrances, however, highly polarizable bromine atoms reduced significantly the adiabatic potentials of ionization to be very close to that for trans‐PA oligomers.     

Highly congested liquid crystal structures: dendrimers, dendrons, dendronized and hyperbranched polymers

In this tutorial review we describe some studies concerning liquid crystal dendritic polymers. We have chosen to present several representative examples that illustrate the diverse kinds of LC dendritic structures, namely: dendrimers, dendrons, dendronized polymers and hyperbranched polymers. We review their synthesis, mesogenic properties and the way that they are arranged to form supramolecular liquid crystal assemblies.     

The Design of Second-order Nonlinear Optical Dendrimers: From “Branch Only” to “Root Containing”

Dendrimers are considered as a promising family of organic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers because of their well-defined structures,easily modified peripheral functional groups,interior branches and central cores.In order to obtain NLO materials with high performance,dendrimer structures have been optimized in the past years,such as the "branch only" and the "root containing" type dendrimers.This feature article highlights the achievements in exploring the rational design of dendrimers,partially marked by their macroscopic NLO performance.     

Hyperbranched aliphatic polyether polyols

Hyperbranched polymers, dendritic macromolecules with branch‐on‐branch structures, have become an important polymer class since the early 1990s. They combine several advantages of the perfectly branched dendrimers with easy accessibility, typically in a one‐step synthesis. Hyperbranched polyethers are a particularly interesting class of chemically stable and often biocompatible materials. Multifunctional hyperbranched polyethers with controllable molar mass and comparably low polydispersities can been prepared using hydroxyl‐functional epoxides or oxetanes for polymerization via anionic and cationic polymerization mechanisms. Here, we review the progress in the preparation, characterization, and application of these uniquely versatile aliphatic polyether polyols. Their unusual mechanical, thermal, and solution properties render them useful for a variety of applications, for example, as building blocks for various complex macromolecular architectures or in biomedical applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

液晶性树状高分子

对树状高分子进行功能化,使之成为具有特定性能的新型材料是目前很热门的课题,树状液晶就是其中之一.树状高分子长径比很小,似乎难以形成液晶态,但人们已发现多种树状液晶分子,几乎囊括了所有在其他高分子中出现过的液晶相.本文按液晶相分类,介绍树状液晶高分子的研究进展.     

Using Two Simple Methods of Ar?ArF Self‐Assembly and Isolation Chromophores to Further Improve the Comprehensive Performance of NLO Dendrimers

Herein, through a combination of divergent and convergent approaches, coupled with the utilization of the powerful Sharpless “click chemistry” reaction, two series of high‐generation nonlinear optical (NLO) dendrimers have been conveniently prepared in high purity and satisfactory yields. Perfluoroaromatic rings and isolation chromophores were introduced to further improve their comprehensive performance. Thanks to the effects of Ar? Ar^F self‐assembly and the isolation chromophores, coupled with perfect 3D spatial isolation from the highly branched structure of the dendrimer, G5‐PFPh‐NS displayed very large NLO efficiency (up to 257 pm V^?1), which is, to the best of our knowledge, the new record highest value reported so far for simple azo chromophore moieties. High‐quality wide optical transparency and good stability were also achieved.     

Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polyesters as Structure‐Directing Agents in the Formation of Nanoporous Silica

Anionic dendritic macromolecules (hyperbranched polyesters and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers) and amine‐functionalized PAMAM dendrimers have been used as structure‐directing agents in the synthesis of nanoporous silica structures. When utilizing carboxylates as structure‐directing agents the incorporation of the negatively charged species into a SiO₂ framework was achieved via a sol‐gel synthesis route using a quaternized aminosilane as co‐structure‐directing agent to yield silica materials of various morphologies and high surface areas. Amine dendrimers as porogens gave materials with high surface areas, revealing increasing pore sizes corresponding to the increasing size of the porogen. The resulting materials have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption/desorption (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

New hyperbranched second‐order nonlinear optical poly(arylene‐ethynylene)s containing pentafluoroaromatic rings as isolation group: Facile synthesis and enhanced optical nonlinearity through Ar‐ArF self‐assembly effect

In this article, a facile route was designed to prepare four new hyperbranched poly(arylene‐ethynylene)s containing azo‐chromophore moieties through one‐pot “A₂+B₃” approach via simple Sonogashira coupling reaction. The polymers were all soluble in organic solvents and demonstrated good nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, because of the three‐dimensional spatial isolation effect of these hyperbranched polymers. Due to the different B₃‐type comonomer, the self‐assembly effect of pentafluoroaromatic in the interior of these polymers were different, leading to the different trends of the NLO activities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Fluorescent dendritic polymers and nanostructured coatings for the detection of chemical warfare agents and other analytes

Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers of generations zero (G0) to four (G4), and a hyperbranched polyurea (HB‐PU), were functionalized with 1,5‐dansyl (1,5‐D), 2,5‐dansyl (2,5‐D), 2,6‐dansyl (2,6‐D) and nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) fluorophores that change their fluorescence emission wavelength in response to chemical environment, and the resulting dendritic polymers were characterized by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorophore‐functionalized dendritic polymers were then reacted further with 3‐acryloxypropyldimethoxymethylsilane (AOP‐DMOMS) at various fluorophore to DMOMS substitution ratios. The resulting materials were cast onto glass slides, and cured into robust nanostructured coatings. Coatings with 50% fluorophore–50% DMOMS substitution showed the strongest fluorescence and the best physical properties. Coated coupons were tested against a wide range of analytes including the chemical warfare agent simulants dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and chloroethylethylsulfide (CEES), and the water‐methanol‐ethanol series. It was found that the ability of the coatings to distinguish between analytes decreased with increasing cross‐link density for both dendrimer and hyperbranched polymer‐based coatings. It was also found that the percent fluorophore substitution and the type of dendritic polymer carrying the fluorophore had no significant effect upon fluorescence emission wavelength, but fluorescence emission wavelength became less dependent upon solvent with increasing dendrimer generation and molecular mass. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5101–5115, 2009     

Models for the Dynamics of Hyperbranched Macromolecules

Summary: We focus on the motion of hyperbranched macromolecules in solution, paying particular attention to the relation between underlying topological structure and dynamics; we consider especially the mechanical moduli. Under the prominent representatives of hyperbranched polymers are both regular structures (such as the dendrimers) as well as disordered structures (such as irregular Cayley-trees). Evidently, batch-prepared hyperbranched macromolecules are closer to the latter. In order to theoretically determine their mechanical moduli we employ the method of generalized Gaussian structures (GGS), which allows us to study the situation including or excluding the hydrodynamic interactions (HI). Disordered hyperbranched structures display a complex dynamics; here we recall several analytical and numerical schemes for determining it and compare our theoretical results to the experimental data.     

From controllable attached isolation moieties to possibly highly efficient nonlinear optical main-chain polyurethanes containing indole-based chromophores

For the first time, the indole-based NLO chromophores were embedded into the polymer main chain, and different isolation groups were attached to their donor side with the efforts of adjusting the NLO properties of the resultant main-chain polyurethanes, according to the site isolation principle. Thanks to the main-chain structure and the advantages of the indole-based chromophores, all the polymers show excellent transparency, good processability, thermal stability, and relatively good NLO effects. The tested NLO properties of the polymers demonstrate that there is a suitable isolation group present for the sulfonyl-based chromophore to boost its microscopic beta value to a possibly higher macroscopic NLO property efficiently.     

Structural and conformational properties of hyperbranched copolymers based on perfluorinated germanium hydrides

Two series of hyperbranched copolymers based on perfluorinated germanium hydrides of various topological structures are studied in dilute chloroform solutions by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. The first series is composed of copolymers with various molecular masses (from 2.3 × 10⁴ to 31 × 10⁴) that contain rigid linear chains between branching points and various amounts of branching points in cascades of the dendritic fragment, while the second series is comprised of copolymers that, at close branching degrees, on average, are characterized by a looser structure owing to a large amount of linear units at the periphery of macromolecules with M = (2.5 × 10⁴)?(23 × 10⁴). Macromolecules of the studied polymers have compact dimensions and a high density of the polymer substance; their shape asymmetry is low. In terms of these characteristics, they approach dendrimers. At a fixed molecular mass, the copolymers with a loose structure have higher dimensions of macromolecules and higher intrinsic viscosities.     

A second-order nonlinear optical dendronized hyperbranched polymer containing isolation chromophores: achieving good optical nonlinearity and stability simultaneously

Large nonlinear optical(NLO) coefficient and good stability, two essential factors to evaluate second-order NLO materials, are difficult to be achieved in one molecule simultaneously. Herein, by utilizing the concept of "isolation chromophore", "isolation group" and dendritic structure, a dendritic molecule D-NS and a dendronized hyperbranched polymer DHP-NS are prepared to investigate their structure-property relationship. For the small dendritic molecule D-NS, it exhibits a high d33 value of 140 pm/V.But this value can be easily dropped when the temperature is higher than 50 °C, which extremely limits its real application. After introducing D-NS into a dendronized hyperbranched polymer chains, the obtained DHP-NS also shows a high d33 value of101 pm/V, but much better stability than D-NS. Even when its thin film was heated to 120 °C, no obvious decay can be observed in the d33 value of DHP-NS. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to realize both large NLO effect and good stability simultaneously.     

Hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic macromolecules as unimolecular hosts for controlled release

Novel amphiphilic hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers with a dendritic polyester core, a linear poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) inner shell, and a hyperbranched polyglycerol outer shell have been prepared. The structures of the hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers were characterized by using NMR spectra. The critical aggregating concentrations (CACs) of those amphiphilic hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers were measured by using pyrene as the polarity probe. To study the encapsulation performances of those hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers as unimolecular hosts, inter‐molecular encapsulation was carefully prevented by controlling the host concentrations below their CACs and by washing with good organic solvents. The study on encapsulation of two model guest molecules, pyrene and indomethacin, was performed. The amounts of encapsulated molecules were dependent mainly on the size of inner linear shells. About three pyrene molecules or five indomethacin molecules were encapsulated in hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers with average PCL repeating units of two but different hyperbranched polyglycerol outer shells, whereas about five pyrene molecules or about 12 indomethacin molecules were encapsulated in those with PCL repeating units of nine. The encapsulated molecules could be released in a controlled manner. Thus, the hyperbranched‐upon‐dendritic polymers could be used as unimolecular nanocarriers with controllable molecular encapsulation dosage for controlled release. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 4013–4019, 2010     

Synthesis,properties and molecular modeling of functional hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers

The design, synthesis, properties and molecular modeling of fully conjugated dendritic molecules and conjugated hyperbranched polymers are described. It has been shown that conjugated hyperbranched molecules are much more soluble than their linear analogues while maintaining all the properties characteristic of conjugated polymers. It was found that the use of polymeric solid support in hyperbranched polymerization allows to control molecular weight and degree of branching (DB). The molecular modeling of hyperbranched conjugated molecules reveals that hyperbranched structure of conjugated molecules affects significantly neither their stability nor the conjugation. On the other hand the terminal groups affect appreciably the electronic structure of conjugated hyperbranched molecules.     

New series of AB2‐type hyperbranched polytriazoles derived from the same polymeric intermediate: Different endcapping spacers with adjustable bulk and convenient syntheses via click chemistry under copper(I) catalysis

In this article, according to the concept of “suitable isolation group,” six new AB₂‐type polytriazoles containing azo‐chromophore moieties, derived from the same hyperbranched polymer intermediate, were successfully prepared through click reaction under copper(I) catalysis by modifying the synthetic route, in which different isolation groups in different size were introduced to the periphery of the hyperbranched polymers as end‐capping moieties. With the different end‐capping groups, these hyperbranched polymers, P1 – P6 , exhibited different solubility and processability; also, their nonlinear optical properties were modified accordingly, realizing the adjustment of the properties of hyperbranched polymers through the structural design. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011