Synthesis of star and model network polymers from poly(tetrahydrofuran)s with azetidinium end groups and multifunctional carboxylates

Star polymers with 2, 3 and 4 branches were synthesized in coupling reactions of poly(tetrahydrofuran) [poly(THF)] containing an azetidinium ring as single end group with di‐, tri‐, and tetrafunctional carboxylates, respectively. The coupling reaction proceeded by simple precipitation of the star polymer by addition of the polymer to an aqueous solution containing an excess of the corresponding sodium carboxylate. Model networks with 3 and 4 branches were produced by the same technique using poly(THF) with two azetidinium rings as end groups and tri‐ and tetrafunctional carboxylates, respectively.