Hyperbranched polymers 10 years after

It has been about 10 years since the first intentional preparation of hyperbranched polymer was disclosed. Hyperbranched polymers, as well as dendrimers, may find utilities in the areas where the structural uniqueness of these polymers gives merit. There has been much progress in the structural understanding and the methods of synthesis of these polymers. However, functional understanding and utility of these polymers are still in infancy. Better understanding on physical properties of these polymers, such as solubility and miscibility of these polymers in solvents or with polymers, and functional group dependency to the thermal relaxation process are needed for further development of the subject. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A: Polym. Chem. 36: 1685–1698, 1998     

Hyperbranched polymers as delivery vectors for oligonucleotides

We report on the synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) polymers using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These polymers are unimolecular and globular and hence interact differently with DNA than conventional DMAEMA or block copolymers. The polymers were shown to effectively bind and condense oligonucleotides (ODNs); visualization of the bound complexes was achieved using atomic force microscopy, whereas isothermal titration calorimetry described the thermodynamics of binding. The ODNs were effectively protected from enzymatic degradation (DNAses) when condensed by all the polycations studied. However, internalization of the complexes into HeLa cells was less effective when the polycation was chain extended with polyethyleneglycol monomethylether methacrylate. Conjugation of folic acid to the periphery of the polycation facilitated much enhanced uptake of the oligomeric DNA into the HeLa cells due to overexpression of folate receptors on the surface of HeLa cells. Although significant cytotoxicity was observed at high polymer concentrations, this could be alleviated by shielding of the polycation using poly(ethyleneglycol monomethylether methacrylate). These results suggest that hyperbranched polymers formed in this way exhibit interesting complexation behavior with ODNs and thus are promising models to study as gene delivery vectors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

以季戊四醇为"核分子"超支化聚酯-酰胺的合成及表征

以二异丙醇胺(DIPA)与六氢苯酐(HHPA)为原料合成了一种端基带有一个羧基、两个羟基的AB2型单体。用季戊四醇(PETL)作为“核分子”,按一定的摩尔配比与AB2型单体反应,分别得到两种不同的超支化聚酯-酰胺(1GHP、2G—HP)。并采用红外光谱(IR)、凝胶渗透色谱法(GPC)、粘度法等方法对其结构进行了表征。结果表明：1GHP、2G—HP的多分散性指数分别为1．47和2．17,呈现很窄的分子量分布。两种分子的粘度与浓度的关系服从Einstein粘度方程,具有紧凑的球形分子结构。     

Synthesis of Mesoporous Alumina Using Carboxyl Functional,Hyperbranched Polyesters as Templates

A series of mesoporous aluminas have been synthesized using commercial hyperbranched polyesters of the second to fourth generation as porogens. To achieve a suitable interaction between the polymer and the aluminium source, aluminium sec‐butoxide, the terminal hydroxyl groups of the hyperbranched polymer were first reacted by succinic anhydride. The mesoporous aluminas were analyzed by nitrogen adsorption/desorption, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No dependence of the generation of the hyperbranched template on pore size was found in this study. Instead the pore size appears to depend on the amount of water added to the reaction mixture as well as the concentration of the hyperbranched polymer.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Crosslinked Hyperbranched Polyglycidol Hydrogel Films

Hyperbranched polyglycidol (PGLD) was synthesized via anionic ring‐opening polymerization of glycidol using a special anionic initiator with multiple initiation sites. The resultant polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR spectra for confirming their structures, which consisted of linear, hyperbranched and dendritic structures. Molecular weight characteristics were determined by means of the gel permeation chromatography (GPC). With the intention of investigating the possibility of broad applications, PGLD hydrogel films were prepared using various crosslinking agents, i.e., glutaraldehyde and some dicarboxylic acids, and their physical properties such as swelling behavior and tensile (or Young's) modulus were measured and compared.     

Anion Transport Using Core Functionalized Hyperbranched Polymers and Evidence of a Dense Packed Limit Based on Molecular Weight

Being able to bind, select, and transport species is central to a number of fields, including medicine, materials, and environmental science. In particular, recognizing a specific species from one phase and transporting it across, or into another phase, has obvious applications in environ-mental science, for example, removal of unwanted or toxic materials from an aqueous or organic phase. In this paper, we describe an approach that uses a functionalized dendritic polymer to bind and transport a small anionic molecule across an organic phase (and between two aqueous phases). The design was based on encapsulation principles borrowed from nature, where anions are bound and transported by proteins that have specific sites within their globular ordered structures. For the work reported here, a globular dendritic polymer functionalized with an isophthalamide-based receptor was used to replace the protein structure and anion-binding site. Along with control experiments, the binding and transport properties of two functionalized HBPs were assessed using a Pressman U tube experiment. Both HBPs demonstrated an enhanced ability to bind and transport anions (when compared to the anion-binding site used in isolation). Furthermore, optimum binding and transport occurred when the smaller of the two HBPs were used. This supports our previous observations regarding the existence of a dense packed limit for HBPs.     

Hyperbranched polyphosphoesters with reactive end groups synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis polymerization and their transformation to crosslinked nanoparticles

A novel hyperbranched polyphosphoester (HBPPE) was prepared by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of an AB₂ monomer using the second‐generation Hoveyda–Grubbs catalyst. IR analysis, gel permeation chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering, and NMR spectroscopy confirmed their controlled synthesis. The effect of the ADMET polymerization time in the thermal properties of HBPPEs was studied and their thermal degradation and flame‐retardant properties were evaluated. These reactive HBPPEs were used to synthesize polyphosphoesters nanoparticles by intramolecular crosslinking of the end acrylate groups in dilute solution. The successful preparation of this new type of polymer nanoparticles was proven by NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The morphologies of nanostructures were investigated via dynamic light scattering, atom force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed that the crosslinked nanoparticles, which have a comparatively uniform size, were stable and reproducible in organic solvents. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4331–4340     

Synthesis of hyperbranched polymers with precise conjugation length

A set of AB₂ type monodisperse conjugated oligomers carrying two bromo functional groups and one boronic ester functional group were prepared by iterative deprotection and Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions. Suzuki polycondensation of these AB₂ type monodisperse oligomers afforded hyperbranched polymers. The hyperbranched conjugated polymers we prepared possess not only precisely controlled conjugation length like monodisperse conjugated oligomers but also the structural feature of hyperbranched polymers. Optical property investigation demonstrated that the maximum absorption and emission wavelength red‐shifted along with the increasing of the conjugation length between the two branching points and the hyperbranched structure could effectively reduce the aggregation of the conjugated polymer chains. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1084–1092, 2007     

Nanoimprint Lithography with UV-Curable Hyperbranched Polymer Nanocomposites

Nano-scale patterns were produced with UV-curable acrylated hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites using nanoimprint lithography with a glass master in a rapid, low-pressure process. The pattern of the glass master was replicated with composites containing up to 25 vol% SiO₂ with a shape fidelity better than 98%. Photo-rheology, interferometry and atomic force microscopy were used to analyze the material behavior. Attention was paid to the relationship between composition, nanoparticle dispersion, kinetics of photo-polymerisation, shrinkage, pressure and shape fidelity of nano-gratings. It was shown that the gel-point of the nanocomposite was an important factor that determined the stability as well as the dimensions of the imprinted structure. Dimensional accuracy also strongly depended on the level of internal stress, which in fact increased with the amount of silica. A resin rich layer on the surface of the composite accounted for the good surface quality of the nano-pattern.     

Hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores: Synthesis,characterization, and structure regulation

The synthesis, characterization, and structure regulation of hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores were realized in this paper. First, dendritic boron core was synthesized via hydroboration with borane dimethylsulfide and bis(allyloxy)dimethylsilane. Then, the hyperbranched polycarbosiloxanes with dendritic boron cores were synthesized via hydrosilylation with AB₂ type monomer of bis(allyloxy)methylsilane and dendritic boron cores. The molecular structures of the dendritic boron core and resulting hyperbranched polymers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Size exclusion chromatography/multiangle laser light scattering analysis reveals that the structures of hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane can be regulated effectively by incorporation of functional dendritic boron cores. Compared with hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane of the same molecular weight level, the hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane with dendritic boron cores presents narrower molecular weight distribution as well as much smaller hydrodynamic radius and intrinsic viscosity. Thermalgravimetric analyzer analysis indicates that both the decomposition temperature and ceramic yields are increased as the results of the incorporation of dendritic boron cores into hyperbranched polycarbosiloxane. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3930–3941, 2006     

新型超支化聚芳烃的合成与性能研究

3,6-二乙炔基-9-(三苯胺基)-咔唑、4,4′-二乙炔基-4″-(咔唑基)-三苯胺双炔和1-辛炔单炔在CpCo(CO)2-hν催化的条件下合成了新型超支化聚芳烃.所得的聚合物都溶于普通溶剂(甲苯、THF、氯仿、二氯甲烷等).在光激发的条件下,聚合物在428 nm左右发射蓝光,其荧光量子效率达到62%.所有超支化聚合物都表现出优异的热稳定性,它们的起始分解温度高达484℃.     

Characterization of molecularly imprinted polymers employing crosslinkers with nonsymmetric polymerizable groups

Crosslinking monomers have been developed with a combination of methacrylamide and methacrylate or vinyl ketone polymerizable groups that provide molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with improved binding and selectivity. The differential reactivity rates of the polymerizable groups prompted an investigation into the time‐dependent behavior of the crosslinkers, which suggests a new mechanism for MIP formation. The mechanism involves the formation of long sections of linear poly(vinyl ketone) with pendant methacrylamide groups that form a highly crosslinked network in a subsequent step. This has implications for the sequence morphology of polymers, affecting the structure and improving the binding properties of MIPs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3668–3675, 2004     

Rapid Hyperbranched Polythioether Synthesis Through Thiol-Michael Addition Reaction

In this study, two types of hyperbranched (HB) polythioether could readily be achieved in a short time at ambient temperature through a thiol-Michael addition reaction. Dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMADC) or methyl propiolate (A₂) and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (B₃) monomers were reacted using an organobase 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) as a catalyst in chloroform at room temperature to provide subsequent HB polythioethers. The effect of TBD concentration on the polymerization was studied for the DMDAC case monitoring the molecular weight evolution against time. HB polythioethers were characterized using spectroscopic (nuclear magnetic resonance) and chromatographic (gel permeation chromatography with refractive index and light-scattering detectors) techniques. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58, 824–830     

含光敏剂184结构的超支化碱溶性感光聚合物的合成及性能

以季戊四醇为“中心核”,通过与偏苯三酸酐,环氧氯丙烷反应合成超支化聚酯,利用合成聚合物分子外围的羧基与含环氧基的1-羟基环己基苯基酮、甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯反应合成分子末端含光敏剂结构的超支化碱溶性感光聚合物。聚合反应转化率在1 h内可达80%以上;合成聚合物的玻璃化转变温度为200℃,200℃以内无失重,200~300℃之间有轻微失重,其粘度表现为超支化聚合物的粘度特性,并且在碱性水溶液中溶解性好,无需外加光敏剂,在紫外光照射下便可固化、交联,具有较小的凝胶曝光能量E0(1×10-3~1×10-2J/cm2)和较好的光敏性。     

Polysiloxanes polymers with hyperbranched structure and multivinyl functionality

Hyperbranched polysiloxane polymers with multivinyl functionality were designed and synthesized through a “one‐step and one‐pot” deactivation enhanced atom transfer polymerization (DE‐ATRP) approach from the copolymerization of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) macromonomers and divinylbenzene (DVB). Various feed ratios of siloxane‐based monomer and divinyl monomers were investigated. We showed that even at DVB concentrations as high as 80 mol % in the feed, 65% yield of hyperbranched polymer could be obtained without gelation because the DE‐ATRP suppressed the rapid formation of macronetwork structures. The molecular weight, polydispersity, macromolecular structure of hyperbranched poly(DVB‐co‐PDMS) as well as its viscosity in silicone oil were characterized by GPC‐MALLS, ¹H NMR and rheometer. By tracking the relationship between the radius of gyration, elution volume and molecular weight from MALLS analysis, solid evidences of the highly branched and condensed structure of the polymers were obtained. Furthermore, the oil thickening experiments demonstrate that this hyperbranched polymer can act as a well‐controlled viscosity‐modifier for Silicone oils, which potentially will have important application in coating, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis of hyperbranched degradable polymers by atom transfer radical (Co)polymerization of inimers with ester or disulfide groups

Degradable hyperbranched polymers with multiple alkyl halide chain ends were synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization of inimers containing ester (2‐(2′‐bromopropionyloxy)ethyl acrylate) or disulfide (2‐(2′‐bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl 2′′‐methacryloyloxyethyl disulfide) groups. Both the homo‐ and copolymerizations (with styrene in the former case and methyl methacrylate in the latter) were studied. The hyperbranched polymers derived from the ester‐type inimer were hydrolytically degradable under basic conditions, whereas those derived from the disulfide‐containing inimer could be efficiently degraded in the presence of reducing agents such as tributylphosphine. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009     

端基对超支化高分子性质影响的研究

对端羟基脂肪族超支化高分子的端基进行了乙酰化和硅烷化改性，研究了不同端基对超支化高分子的玻璃化温度，折光指数增量以及特性粘度的影响。结果表明，端基的极性减小使超支化高分子的玻璃化温度降低，不同端基的超支化高分子的折光指数增量也有很大差异，而强极性的端基使超支化高分子在溶液中易产生团聚作用。由于端基在超支化高分子中所占比重较大，端基是影响超支化高分子性质的重要因素。     

Influence of Reactive Diluent on UV-curing of Acrylate Terminated Hyperbranched Polymers

A Aeries of hydroxylic hyperbranched polymers were derived from 2,2-bis (methylol) propionic acid and tris (methylol) propane reacted with acrylic acid to various extents. The obtained acrylated hyperbranched polymers alone or with a monofunctional diluent, isobornylene acrylate(IBOA) were further cured by UV radiation. The cured films based on the modified polymers alone all demonstrated poor mechanical properties due to their high network densities and low moving ability of polymer chains. For the composite systems, the cured films demonstrated improved mechanical properties due to the low network densities and high chain moving ability. With more IBOA included in the systems, acrylate groups can react to a higher extent during the curing process.     

AB2型超支化聚(胺-酯)活性端羟基与乙酸酐的功能化反应

以二乙醇胺和丙烯酸甲酯为原料合成了具有端羟基的AB2型超支化聚（胺－酯）。研究了超支化聚（胺－酯）端羟基与乙酸酐的功能化反应，分析了温度和搅拌对该反应动力学的影响。实验结果表明：超支化聚（胺－酯）端羟基与乙酸酐的酯化反应动力学偏离二级反应，用反常扩散理论对这一实验现象进行了解释。