LAUSR

ABSTRACT To simply prepare hyperbranched polystyrene with dendritic structure for optical and electronic applications, the copper-mediated self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization of 4-(2-bromopropionyl)oxy styrene has been attempted. Given the unequal reactivity of two propagating species owing to different substituents which stabilize radicals, the influence of polymerization conditions on the structure of dendritic polystyrene were investigated. Higher polymerization temperature leaded to the lower functionality of Br in the branched polystyrene due to HBr elimination. As the catalyst to monomer ratio increased, the degree of branching of the prepared polystyrene was enhanced by increasing the reaction chance of the less stabilized propagating site.