Dendritic and Hybrid Linear-Globular Molecules: Design and Synthetic Approaches

这项研究的目的是探索树枝状分子的设计、合成和性质，以及包含线状和球状碎片的杂化聚合物结构。主要目标包括制备具有官能化链端的规则树枝状分子，通过一步缩聚反应制备超支化聚合物，以及其中树枝状(球状)片段将有助于彻底改变线性聚合物片段的性质的杂化线状-球状共聚物。为了制备规则尺寸的单分散树枝状结构，将使用包括新单体的分步和加速方法。位于链端或树枝状分子内层内的官能团的化学修饰将用于许多目的，例如创建新型胶束结构。这些胶束结构是由单分子组成的，其中疏水外层包围着内部亲水层(反胶束)，反之亦然(正常胶束)。树枝状分子的聚合合成方法提供了对结构的独特控制，将用于创建不寻常的聚合物拓扑结构。这些分子的结构-性质关系的研究将有助于知识的进步，可能为当前的技术问题提供新的解决方案。这项研究旨在生产一种新的物质形式：具有球状形状的聚合物，这种聚合物无法用任何其他已知的方法制造。这些球形聚合物可能被独特地设计用于一系列新兴的先进技术中，例如分子电子学、微反应器的设计，这些微反应器将允许进行更高效的化学过程，大幅减少环境问题，或者从水中消除剧毒污染物。

The objectives of this research are to explore the design, synthesis, and properties of dendritic molecules as well as hybrid polymer structures containing both linear and globular fragments. Main targets include the preparation of regular dendritic molecules with functionalized chain-ends, hyper-branched polymers prepared in a one-step polycondensation reaction, and hybrid linear-globular copolymers in which the dendritic (globular) fragment will contribute to modify drastically the properties of the linear polymer fragment. In order to prepare regular, size monodisperse dendritic structures, both stepwise and accelerated approaches involving new monomers will be used. The chemical modification of functionalities located at the chain ends or within the inner layers of the dendritic molecules will be used for a number of purposes such as the creation of novel type of micellar structures. These micellar structures are constituted of single molecules in which a hydrophobic outer layer surrounds inner hydrophilic layers (reverse micelle) or vice-versa (normal micelle). The unique control over architecture afforded by the convergent method of synthesis of dendritic molecules will be used to create unusual polymer topologies. The study of structure-properties relationships for these molecules will contribute to the advancement of knowledge may provide novel solutions to current technological problems. This research is directed toward the production of a new form of matter: polymers with a globular shape that cannot be made by any other known method. These globular polymers may be uniquely engineered for applications in a broad array of emerging advanced technologies such as molecular electronics, the design of microreactors that will allow more efficient chemical processes to be carried out with significant reduction in environmental problems, or the elimination of highly toxic pollutants from water.