RIGID STARS - PROPERTIES AND FUNCTIONS

The properties of star-shaped adamantane multipodes with different typ es of rigid branches with various lengths are discussed. The expectati on based on theoretical considerations teas that such multipodes would display an enhanced solubility both in low molar mass solvents and in polymer matrices. These multipodes have a three-dimensional star-like shape, are able to crystallize but can also be obtained in the glassy state, and they show a relaxational behavior typical for polyarylates . They are soluble in various low molar mass organic solvents much bet ter than lineal rigid molecules of the same chemical constitution and of similar length and they are miscible in polymer matrices up to conc entrations of 30 wt%. The multipodes were found to influence the diele ctric and mechanical properties of the matrix polymers significantly. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.