Linear‐dendritic copolymers as nanocatalysts

Functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) containing four chloride end functional groups (PEG‐Cl 4 ) was synthesized through reaction between cyanuric chloride and PEG‐(OH) 2 . Chloride end functional groups of PEG‐Cl 4 were able to initiate the ring opening polymerization of 2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline and star copolymers containing a PEG core, and poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (POX) arms were obtained. Polymerization was quenched using diethanolamine, and star copolymers containing hydroxyl end functional groups (PEG‐POX‐OH) were obtained. ε‐Caprolactone was then polymerized using the hydroxyl end functional groups of star copolymers and amphiphilic linear‐dendritic copolymers containing PEG and POX, and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) blocks were synthesized. Linear‐dendritic copolymers were able to load the organic and inorganic guest molecules. Application of host‐guest systems such as nanocatalyst for Heck chemical reaction was also investigated.