Facile synthesis of dendron-branched silicone polymers

Abstract

Monofunctional dendritic silicone branches were created from hydro- and alkoxysilanes using the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction. Platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of the dendrons onto functional (MeHSiO) silicone backbones at various frequencies led to a library of branched silicones. Viscosities of the polymers increased with branch frequency to a maximum beyond which the viscosity decreased, as a consequence of a globular transition.