Preparation of highly branched graft copolymers by the ceric ion method

Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto poly(6‐methacryloyl‐D‐galactose) was very rapid, and the increase in weight reached about 1500% after 2–3 min. The maximum number of branches of the graft copolymers obtained was about 50. In the closest position two adjacent grafted branches were separated from each other by about 45–50 units of 6‐methacryloyl‐D‐galactose on the average. Susceptibility of the various polymers containing sugar residues to grafting was compared, and the importance of the hemiacetal group in the grafting was revealed. Solubility of the backbone polymer in water was also important for rapid grafting by the ceric ion method.