Hyperbranched Vinyl Polymers

Figure 8.5 Schematic representation of the self-condensing vinyl polymerization of an AB -monomerto give a hyperbranched vinyl polymer [19]...

Hyperbranched polymers are generally composed of branched (dendritic), Hn-ear, and terminal units. In contrast to AB2 systems, there are two different types of linear units in SCVP one resembles a repeat unit of a polycondensate (----A -b----) and one a monomer unit of a vinyl polymer (--a(B )---). 

The first strategies to random hyperbranched polymers involved exclusively step-growth polymerizations. This limited the potential applications for these architectures to areas where only condensation-type polymers are acceptable. Frechet et al. [21] presented the first example of a hyperbranched vinyl polymerization in 1995, ] initiating the birth of a second generation of hyperbranched... 

With appropriate choice of reaction conditions, hyperbranched polymers can be formed by sclf-condcnsing vinyl polymerization of monomers that additionally contain the appropriate initiator (NMP, ATRP), when the compounds are called inimers, or RAFT agent functionality. Monomers used in this process include 340,716 341717 and 34204 (for NMP), 108714,714 and 344 and related monomers720 723 (for ATRP) and 343408 (for RAFT). Careful control of reaction conditions is required to avoid network formation. 

The interest in hyperbranched polymers arises from the fact that they combine some features of dendrimers, for example, an increasing number of end groups and a compact structure in solution, with the ease of preparation of hn-ear polymers by means of a one-pot reaction. However, the polydispersities are usually high and their structures are less regular than those of dendrimers. Another important advantage is the extension of the concept of hyperbranched polymers towards vinyl monomers and chain growth processes, which opens unexpected possibilities. 

A series of theoretical studies of the SCV(C)P have been reported [38,40,70-74], which give valuable information on the kinetics, the molecular weights, the MWD, and the DB of the polymers obtained. Table 2 summarizes the calculated MWD and DB of hyperbranched polymers obtained by SCVP and SCVCP under various conditions. All calculations were conducted, assuming an ideal case, no cyclization (i.e., intramolecular reaction of the vinyl group with an active center), no excluded volume effects (i.e., rate constants are independent of the location of the active center or vinyl group in the macromolecule), and no side reactions (e.g., transfer or termination). 

In this review, we have described the synthesis of hyperbranched (meth)acry-lates. We have shown that the solution and melt properties are considerably different from their Unear analogs, due to their compact, nonentangled structure. SCV(C)P has become a valuable tool in synthesis of hyperbranched polymers from vinyl monomers. Theoretical investigations help to obtain information on the molecular parameters of the resulting hyperbranched polymers which often could not be obtained experimentally. Studies on the solution and melt properties help one to understand the relationship between the properties and molecular parameters (DB,MW, distribution of branching points), which are extremely valuable from both industrial and scientific viewpoints. 

The polymerization of AB -functional vinyl monomers is fundamentally different from the step-growth polymerization of AB2-monomers. Condensation of AB2-monomers results immediately in the formation of hyperbranched polymers since the reactivity of the end-groups are the same, regardless of what type of repeat unit (linear or dendritic) that is formed. 

The introduction of SCVP initiated extensive research focused on the use of vinyl monomers for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers. More recently,... 

Since these reports, a number of new approaches based on vinyl monomers and various initiating systems have been explored to yield hyperbranched polymers such as, poly(4-acetylstyrene) [26], poly(vinyl ether) [27] and polyacrylates [28], In view of the fact that free radical polymerizations are most widely used in industrial polymerization processes the development of these procedures for vinyl monomers has opened a very important area for hyperbranched polymers. 

The second generation of hyperbranched polymers was introduced a few years ago when Frechet et al. reported the use of self-condensing vinyl polymerization to prepare hyperbranched polymers by carbocationic systems (Fig. 3) [46]. Similar procedures but adapted for radical polymerization were shortly thereafter demonstrated by Hawker et al. [47] and Matyjaszewski et al. [48]. 

Fig. 3. Schematic description of self-condensing vinyl polymerization used for the synthesis of of hyperbranched polymers based on vinyl monomers as presented by Frechet [52] -(represents a reactive site which can initiate polymerization)...

Hyperbranched polymers can be synthesized in several different ways, the most commonly used being classical condensation reactions. These reactions are made either in bulk or in solution where the A,jB monomers are condensed by themselves or in combination with a By core monomer. The use of a By core monomer improves the control over the molecular weight and dispersity of the hyperbranched polymer. Hyperbranched polymers can also be synthesized by self-condensing vinyl polymerization using vinyl-functional monomers. The introduction of this approach has greatly increased the number of possible monomers that can be used for this type of polymer. 

A wide variety of hyperbranched polymers have been described in the literature. Initially, these were mainly condensation polymers such as polyesters and polyethers since the required monomers were the most readily available. A number of hyperbranched polymers based on vinyl monomers have been described lately after the introduction of self-condensing vinyl polymerization. One structural variation which has been widely employed for hyperbranched... 

The same hyperbranched polyglycerol modified with hydrophobic palmitoyl groups was used for a noncovalent encapsulation of hydrophilic platinum Pincer [77]. In a double Michael addition of ethyl cyanoacetate with methyl vinyl ketone, these polymer supports indicated high conversion (81 to 59%) at room temperature in dichloromethane as a solvent. The activity was stiU lower compared with the noncomplexed Pt catalyst. Product catalyst separation was performed by dialysis allowing the recovery of 97% of catalytic material. This is therefore an illustrative example for the possible apphcation of such a polymer/catalyst system in continuous membrane reactors. 

In a series of papers, Matsuda et al. [291-295] employed RAFT-SIP with immobilized benzyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate to form polymer brushes from styrene, methacrylamides, acrylamides and acrylates, NIPAM and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone on various surfaces. The SIP is initiated by UV irradiation of the surface-bonded dithiocarbamates. Thermoresponsive polymer brushes were prepared by the polymerization of NIPAM and investigated by XPS, wetting experiments and mainly SPM [294]. Patterned polymer brush layers were also prepared. When chloro-methyl styrene was used as a comonomer, RAFT-SIP resulted in branching. By control of the branching, spatio-resolved hyperbranching of a controllable stem/ branch design was realized (Fig. 9.32) [293, 295]. 

In vinyl polymerization, hyperbranched polymers can be obtained from the monomers that have an initiating group along with a vinyl group (Figure 31). 

---