Controlling surfaces and interfaces with functional polymers: Preparation and functionalization of dendritic-linear block copolymers via metal catalyzed "living" free radical polymerization

The preparation and chemical modification of dendritic-linear block copolymers with surface functionalized dendritic components are presented. Isophthalate ester-functionalized dendrons featuring benzylic halide groups at their focal points have been used for the metal catalyzed "living" radical polymerization of styrene. The molecular weight of the dendritic-linear block copolymers determined by MALDITOF and Size Exclusion Chromatography was found to be accurately controlled up to molecular weights of ca. 30,000 a.m.u., with polydispersities less than 1.2. Subsequent functional group modifications of the peripheral ethyl ester groups of the dendritic block have been successfully carried out leading to carboxylic acids, butyl amides, benzyl alcohols, benzyl halides, and also accelerated generation growth via transesterification with a first generation dendritic alcohol. Several of these new dendritic-linear block copolymers exhibit interesting aggregation characteristics as evidenced by ¹H-NMR spectroscopic studies.