Abstract
This short review article summarizes recent reports on using controlled radical polymerization (CRP) of inimers (compounds containing initiating group and vinyl group in one molecule) or transmers (compounds containing chain transfer group and vinyl group in one molecule) for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers. These inimers and transmers that carry numerous functional groups could be homopolymerized, i.e., self-condensing vinyl polymerization, or copolymerized with monovinyl monomers, i.e., self-condensing vinyl copolymerization, using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) or reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization techniques, producing hyperbranched polymers and hyperstar polymers with tunable molecular weights, compositions and degree of branching. Recent reports that attempted different strategies to regulate polymer–polymer reactions were introduced, demonstrating possible syntheses of hyperbranched polymers with better defined structures and relatively low molecular weight dispersity. Finally, several CRP-produced hyperbranched polymers were discussed on their applications for encapsulation of guest molecules, nanomedicine, diagnostic imaging and catalysis.
Highlights
Branched polymers that are comprised of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers represent an intriguing class of macromolecules with compact structure, high density of branching linkers, three-dimensional globular shape and multiple chain-end groups [1,2,3,4,5,6]
nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) of inimers has been applied in a couple of very first reports for the preparation of ofofinimers has in coupleisof oflimited veryfirst first reports forthe the preparation inimers hasbeen been applied in aa couple very for preparation hyperbranched polymers, itsapplied broad application byreports some challenges, includingof of hyperbranched polymers, itsits broad application limited some challenges, including hyperbranched polymers, broad application is limitedbyby some challenges, including the slow polymerization kinetics, the often required highis temperature, the inability to control the slow polymerization kinetics, the often required high temperature, the inability to control methacrylate polymerization andthe theoften multi-step synthesis of alkoxyamine-based inimers
We summarize the recent progress on using controlled radical polymerization (CRP) methods, including NMP, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and
Summary
Branched polymers that are comprised of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers represent an intriguing class of macromolecules with compact structure, high density of branching linkers, three-dimensional globular shape and multiple chain-end groups [1,2,3,4,5,6]. They have demonstrated promising properties for a variety of applications, ranging from specialty additives, lubricants and nanomedicine to molecular catalysis [7,8,9,10].
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