Hyperbranched polyglycerols by ring-opening multibranching polymerization

Glycidol represents a latent cyclic AB(2)-type monomer that can be polymeri zed in a ring-opening multibranching polymerization (ROMBP). Hyperbranched aliphatic polyethers with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distribution have been prepared via anionic polymerization of glyci dol with rapid cation exchange equilibrium The degree of branching and degr ee of polymerization were determined via C-13 NMR spectroscopy. MALDI-TOF, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) and GPC were used for further characterizati on. Molecular weights of the polyols formed were in the range of 1,300 to 6 ,500, showing polydispersities below 1.5, i. e. exceptionally low for hyper branched polymers. The polyglycerols were used for the preparation of a nov el hyperbranched liquid crystalline (LC) topology.