Rapid routes to highly branched, interfacially active silicones

硅胶聚合物是发达社会几乎所有技术领域的必备材料，从防泡沫剂到伤口敷料和人工晶状体。它们对酸和碱的敏感性意味着容易和实用的合成导致具有广泛性质的（低价值）材料的复杂混合物。MQ和MDTQ树脂构成了一类特别高价值的有机硅树脂，市场价值超过20亿美元/年。这些是超支化聚合物，在弹性体和凝胶系统中提供高效的增强：在后一种情况下，它们还有助于粘连和粘附，例如伤口敷料。Piers-Rubinsztajn反应（PR）允许快速组装复杂的三维（3D）结构。在研究项目中，我们建议通过创建前体树突库，以“混合匹配”的方式组合，开发简单，工业实用，短（1-3步）基于pr的超支化聚合物路线。产品的分子量（MW）范围为3000- 10000g /mol，其物理性质将被记录，并为某些应用建立支化和分子量的最佳范围。将建立结构（MW， 3D结构，包括几何和刚度）/性能（附着力，钢筋）关系。这种方法将取代导致性能较差的材料复杂混合的传统工业路线。拟议的工作对加拿大有好处，通过为安大略省的一家公司开发有机硅，可以直接实现利益：Siltech目前将其大部分产品出口到美国和其他地方。此外，该项目将培养面向市场的HQP，因为他们将通过研究和与我们的工业赞助商的直接互动学习技术，批判性思维和解决问题的技能。

Silicone polymers are requisite materials in almost every technological area of developed societies, from antifoams, to wound dressings and intraocular lenses. Their susceptibility to acid and base means that facile and practical synthesis leads to complex mixtures of (lower value) materials with broad ranges of properties. MQ and MDTQ resins comprise one class of particularly high value silicone resins, with a market value of over USD$ 2 billion dollars/year. These are hyperbranched polymers that provide highly efficient reinforcement in elastomer and gel systems: in the latter case they also facilitate tack and adhesion, for example, on wound dressings. The Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction (PR) permits the rapid assembly of complex 3 dimensional (3D) structures. In the research project we propose to develop facile, industrially practical, short (1-3 steps) PR-based routes to hyperbranched polymers by creating libraries of precursor dendrons that can be combined in a 'mix-and-match' manner. The products will range in molecular weight (MW) from 3000-10000 g/mol and their physical properties will be documented and the optimal range(s) of branching and MW will be established for certain applications. Structure (MW, 3D structure, including geometry and rigidity)/property (adhesion, reinforcement) relationships will be established. This approach will supplant traditional industrial routes that lead to complex mixtures of poorer performing materials. The proposed work has benefits to Canada through the development of silicones for an Ontario company that can realize the benefits directly: Siltech currently exports most of its products to the US and elsewhere. In addition, the project will train market ready HQP because of the technical, critical thinking and problem solving skills they will learn through their research and direct interaction with our industrial sponsor.