Oligo(glycerol) Methacrylate Macromonomers

Linear, protected ω‐methoxy oligo(glycerol) methacrylate (OGly^PMA) macromonomers are synthesized via anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether (EEGE) followed by termination with methacrylic acid anhydride ( = 3–11, PDI < 1.30). The covalently bound methacrylate moiety allows the homopolymerization of OGly^PMA as well as copolymerization with low molecular weight comonomers. In homopolymerizations, macromonomers are polymerized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) yielding well‐defined graft polymers ( = 20 000–30 000 g mol⁻¹). Acidic hydrolysis of the protecting groups releases water‐soluble polyhydroxy‐functional structures. First results on the copolymerization with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) are given in the final part of this work.