A simple and general method for the determination of content of terminal groups in hyperbranched polymers derived from AB_n monomers

In this contribution, we focused on the analysis of the topological structure of hyperbranched polymers derived from AB_n (n ≥ 2) monomers. It was proved that the content of terminal groups (C_T) in hyperbranched polymers only depended on the number of B functional groups in AB_n monomers (n) and molar mass of linear unit of A₀B _{(n - 1)}(M_{A0B(n - 1)}), regardless of the degree of branching. The C_T of the hyperbranched polymers can be determined according to a simple expression: C_T = (n - 1)/M _{A0B(n - 1)}. This formula method was verified to be a simple and reliable approach, as compared to the traditional NMR or titration methods, to determine the content of terminal groups in hyperbranched polymers based on the analysis of model hyperbranched aliphatic polyesters.