Multibranched Polycarbonates Synthesized via Interfacial Polycondensation using Uniform Size Hemi-Telechelic Polystyrene Macromonomers having a Dihydroxyphenyl End-Group

Multibranched polycarbonates with uniform size polystyrene side-groups were obtained by means of hemitelechelic polystyrene macromonomers having a 2,5-dihydrobenzyl end-group. Polystyrene pre-polymers for macromonomers having a methoxy-protected dihydroxyphenyl group were synthesized through ATRP method with 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl bromide as an initiator. After deprotection by dealkylation of the methoxy group, we obtained polystyrene macromonomers. Preparation of the corresponding polycarbonate bearing polystyrene side-chains was conducted via interfacial polycondensation of bisphenol A and bisphenol A bis(chloroformate) in the presence of the macromonomers. DSC measurements of the obtained multibranched polymers showed two glass transition temperatures derived from polystyrene and polycarbonate, which indicated the phase-separated morphology of the bulk film.