ABA Triblock Copolymers Based on Linear Poly(oxymethylene) and Hyperbranched Poly(glycerol): Combining Polyacetals and Polyethers

The synthesis of hyperbranched-linear-hyperbranched ABA triblock copolymers based on a linear poly(oxymethylene) (POM) block and hyperbranched poly(glycerol) (hbPG) blocks is described. The polymers containing a polyacetal polyether structure were prepared from linear bishydroxy-functional POM macroinitiators, obtained by cationic ring-opening polymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane as a comonomer with formic acid as a transfer agent and subsequent hydrolysis of the formate group. Partial deprotonation of the resulting hydroxyl groups permitted “hypergrafting” of glycidol by anionic ring-opening multibranching polymerization (ROMBP). With respect to the hyperbranched blocks, the obtain…