Star poly(ethylene oxide)s from carbosilane dendrimers

A series of 4-arm, 8-arm, and 16-arm poly(ethylene oxide)s (PEO) have been synthesized from hydroxy functionalized carbosilane dendrimers of generatio n zero, one, and two, respectively. The PEO arms are grown anionically from the multifunctional cores. The polymers have narrow molecular weight distr ibutions. Analysis of the molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, and transl ational diffusion coefficient in methanol confirms the star structure of th e polymers. The aqueous solutions of the star PEOs appear normal. Low molec ular weight star polymers, however, show abnormally low intrinsic viscositi es and are adsorbed on the size exclusion column hydrogel material.