Star-shaped Poly(2-oxazoline)s by Dendrimer Endcapping

The synthesis of star-shaped poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) is reported by direct end-capping of the living polymer chains with dendritic multiamines. The end-capping kinetics after addition of a first generation polypropylenimine dendrimer are discussed based on monitoring by size exclusion chromatography, revealing less efficient end-capping with larger poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) chains and increasing dendrimer generation. In addition, it is demonstrated that the solution viscosity and cloud point temperature of the star-shaped polymers are much less affected by chain length compared with their linear analogues.