Influence of shape on the reactivity and properties of dendritic, hyperbranched and linear aromatic polyesters

Previously described dendritic and hyperbranched polyesters and a new linear polyester obtained by polymerization of 3-hydroxy-5-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)benzoic acid, each based on the 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid building block, were used in the study of differences in chemical and physical properties between the three different polymer architectures. Comparison of the physical properties between the dendritic, hyperbranched and linear structures showed that thermal properties, such as glass transition temperature and thermogravimetric analysis, were independent of macromolecular architecture. However, the dendritic and hyperbranched materials demonstrated comparative solubilities which were much greater than that found for the linear polymer. Other differences were observed in chemical reactivities.