Novel hyperbranched polymers from transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation (TBRT) of diacrylate taxogens†

Abstract

Transfer-dominated Branching Radical Telomerisation (TBRT) allows the free radical homopolymerisation of multi-vinyl monomers whilst avoiding gelation. When using dimethacrylates, high molecular weight branched polyesters are formed with complete reaction of all vinyl functional groups. Here, we present the first report of TBRT using diacrylates and compare their homopolymerisation with that of analogous dimethacrylates. To establish very high molecular weight polyesters, diacrylate TBRT reactions required elevated temperatures. The reasons for this are investigated, including the use of model linear telomerisations of analogous mono-vinyl methacrylate and acrylate monomers.