9 - Macromonomers, Oligomers and Telechelic Polymers

Abstract

Although macromonomers and telechelics are oligomers, all three terms can be distinguished from one another by the functionality of their chain ends, and by the nature of the products resulting from the reactions of their chains ends. An oligomer does not necessarily contain any reactive end groups. However, the reactive chain ends are statistically distributed if present, such as in oligomers of condensation polymerizations. A telechelic is an oligomer containing at least one reactive end group, while a macromonomer is generally considered to be an oligomer containing at least one homopolymerizable end group. In contrast, the end groups of a telechelic may undergo chain extension through either condensation polymerization (dicarboxylic, dihydroxylic groups, etc.), addition reactions (e.g. hydrosilation of vinylic groups), or by ring-opening reactions (heterocyclic end groups such as the reaction of glicidyl ethers with carboxylic groups).