SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF SOME HYPERBRANCHED POLYESTERS

A new approach to the controlled synthesis of hyperbranched polyesters, via copolymerisation of AB(2) and B-3 monomers, has been demonstrated. This technique allowed relatively easy production of new families of hyperbranched materials, circumventing the laborious and time-consuming syntheses required for their dendrimer analogues. Copolymerisation of AB(2) monomers with a B-3 'terminator core' restricted the hyperbranched growth and allowed an experimental assessment of points made in an earlier theoretical treatment of the subject.