CONTENTS -- Preface -- Contributors -- 1. Promising Dendritic Materials: An Introduction to Hyperbranched Polymers -- 1.1 Importance of Branching -- 1.2 Polymer Architecture -- 1.3 Dendritic Polymers -- 1.4 Hyperbranched Polymers -- 1.4.1 Concept and History -- 1.4.2 Structure and Properties -- 1.4.3 Synthesis Philosophy -- 1.4.4 Applications -- 1.5 Conclusions -- 1.6 References -- 2. Polycondensation of AB x Monomers -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Statistical Consideration -- 2.2.1 Polymerization Behavior -- 2.2.2 Degree of Branching -- 2.3 Polymerization of AB x -Type Monomers -- 2.3.1 C-C Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.1.1 Metal-Catalyzed Cross Couplings -- 2.3.1.2 Diels-Alder Reactions -- 2.3.1.3 Nucleophilic Substitution by Activated Methylenes -- 2.3.1.4 Electrophilic Acylations -- 2.3.2 C-O Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.2.1 Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions by Phenoxides or Alkoxides -- 2.3.2.2 Esterification of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives -- 2.3.2.3 Ring-Opening Reaction of Epoxides -- 2.3.3 C-N Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.3.1 Condensation of Amines and Carboxylic Acid Derivatives -- 2.3.3.2 Nucleophilic Addition of Amines -- 2.3.3.3 Other C-N Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.4 Si-C or Si-O Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.4.1 Hydrosilylation Reactions -- 2.3.4.2 Condensation Reactions -- 2.3.4.3 Other Si-Containing Reactions -- 2.3.5 Other Coupling Reactions -- 2.3.5.1 C-O or C-N Coupling Reactions of Isocyanates -- 2.3.5.2 C-S Coupling Reactions -- 2.4 References -- 3. Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers via Polymerization of Functionally Symmetric Monomer Pairs -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Theoretical Treatment of A 2 + B 3 Polymerization -- 3.3 Polymerization of Symmetrical Monomer Pairs -- 3.3.1 Polycondensation of A 2 and B 3 Monomers -- 3.3.1.1 Polyamides -- 3.3.1.2 Polyimides -- 3.3.1.3 Polyethers -- 3.3.1.4 Polyesters -- 3.3.1.5 Polycarbonates.

3.3.1.6 Polyurethanes -- 3.3.2 Proton-Transfer Polymerization of A2 and B3 Monomers -- 3.3.3 The Michael Addition Polymerization of A2 and B3 Monomers -- 3.4 Conclusions -- 3.5 References -- 4. Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers via Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 General Description of Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs -- 4.3 Hyperbranched Polymers Prepared by Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs -- 4.3.1 Poly(Sulfoneamine) -- 4.3.2 Poly(Ester Amine) -- 4.3.3 Poly(Amidoamine) -- 4.3.4 Multihydroxyl Hyperbranched Poly(Amine Ester)s -- 4.3.5 Poly(Ester Amide)s -- 4.3.6 Polyesters -- 4.3.7 Poly(Urea-Urethane)s -- 4.3.8 Other Polymers -- 4.3.9 Highly Branched Copolymers -- 4.4 Conclusions -- 4.5 References -- 5. Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization -- 5.2.1 General Principles -- 5.2.2 Various Mechanisms of SCVP -- 5.2.3 Kinetics and MWD -- 5.2.4 Degree of Branching -- 5.2.5 Comparison with Experimental Data -- 5.3 Self-Condensing Vinyl Copolymerization (SCVCP) -- 5.3.1 Experimental Data -- 5.3.2 Kinetics and MWD -- 5.3.3 Degree of Branching -- 5.3.4 Comparison with Experimental Data -- 5.4 Self-Condensing Processes in Presence of Initiators -- 5.4.1 Kinetics and MWD -- 5.4.1.1 Batch Reactions -- 5.4.1.2 Semibatch Polymerization (Slow Inimer Addition) -- 5.4.2 Degree of Branching -- 5.4.2.1 Batch Polymerization -- 5.4.2.2 Semibatch Polymerization -- 5.4.3 Comparison with Experimental Data -- 5.5 SCVP of Macroinimers -- 5.6 Surface-Grafted Hyperbranched Polymers -- 5.7 References -- 6. Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerization -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Classification of Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerizations -- 6.2.1 Cationic Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerizations -- 6.2.2 Anionic Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerizations.

6.2.3 Catalytic Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerizations -- 6.3 Core-Containing Hyperbranched Polymers By Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerization -- 6.4 Conclusion and Perspectives -- 6.5 References -- 7. Hyperbranched Copolymers Synthesized by Cocondensation and Radical Copolymerization -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Cocondensation of AB n and a Comonomer -- 7.2.1 AB n + AB Approach -- 7.2.2 AB 2 + AB 2 Approach -- 7.2.3 Combined ROP/AB 2 Approach -- 7.3 Cocondensation of A 2 + B 2 + BB ′ 2 (or B′ B 2 ) -- 7.4 SCVCP Via Charge-Transfer Complex Inimer -- 7.5 Free Radical Copolymerization of Multifunctional Vinyl Monomers -- 7.6 Conclusion -- 7.7 References -- 8. Convergent Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers and Related Approaches -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Convergent Control in Hyperbranched Synthesis -- 8.3 Results -- 8.3.1 Hyperbranched Polymers by Convergent Living Anionic Polymerization -- 8.3.1.1 Hyperbranched Polymers from CDMSS and Polystyrene (PS) -- 8.3.1.2 Copolymerization of CDMSS and Styrene -- 8.3.1.3 Hyperbranched Polymer from VBC and PS -- 8.3.1.4 Characterization of Hyperbranched PS -- 8.3.1.5 Hyperbranched Polyisoprene -- 8.3.1.6 Convergent Hyperbranching with 4-Vinylstyrene Oxide -- 8.3.2 Complex Branching by Convergent Hyperbranched Polymerization -- 8.3.2.1 Hyperbranch-on-Hyperbranch Constructs- ((PS n )PS) m -- 8.3.2.2 Hyperbranched Macromonomers and Graft Copolymers -- 8.3.3 Related Procedures -- 8.3.3.1 Sequential Macromonomer Formation and Polymerization -- 8.3.3.2 Hyperbranched Polymers by a Convergent Radical Polymerization -- 8.4 Conclusions -- 8.5 References -- 9. Hyperbranched and Dendritic Polyolefins Prepared by Transition Metal Catalyzed Polymerization -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Results and Discussion -- 9.2.1 Branched Polyolefins Made by Radical Polymerization and Early Transition Metal-Catalyzed Polymerization.

9.2.2 Branched Polyolefins Prepared by Tandem Action of Multiple Transition Metal Catalysts -- 9.2.3 Hyperbranched and Dendritic Polyolefins Made by Late Transition Metal Catalysts -- 9.2.3.1 Hyperbranched Polyolefins Made by Catalytic Chain Transfer Catalyst -- 9.2.3.2 Hyperbranched Polyolefins Prepared by Chain-Walking Polymerization -- 9.2.3.2.1 Hyperbranched and Globular Dendrimer-Like Ethylene Homopolymers -- 9.2.3.2.2 Functional Hyperbranched and Dendritic Polyolefins -- 9.2.3.2.3 Core-Shell Dendritic Polyolefin Soft Nanoparticles -- 9.2.3.3 Hyperbranched Oligomers by Transition Metal Catalysts -- 9.3 Summary and Perspective -- 9.4 References -- 10. Hyperbranched π-Conjugated Polymers -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Scope -- 10.3 Hyperbranched Poly(Arylene)s -- 10.4 Hyperbranched Poly(Arylenevinylenes) -- 10.5 Hyperbranched Poly(Aryleneethynylenes) -- 10.6 Conclusion -- 10.7 References -- 11. Degree of Branching (DB) -- 11.1 Definition of the Degree of Branching (DB) -- 11.1.1 Single Highly Branched Molecules -- 11.1.2 A System of Hyperbranched Molecules -- 11.2 Determination of DB -- 11.2.1 Direct Determination -- 11.2.2 Indirect Methods -- 11.3 The Value Range of DB -- A11.4 Appendix -- A11.4.1 Numbers of Isomers in Hyperbranched Polymers -- A11.4.2 Number of Units of Different Substitution Degree in Random Polymerization of AB f Monomer -- 11.5 References -- 12. Influence of Branching Architecture on Polymer Properties -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Influence of Branching Architecture on Polymer Properties -- 12.2.1 Rheological Property -- 12.2.2 Crystallization and Melting Behaviors -- 12.2.3 Glass Transition -- 12.2.4 Thermal and Hydrolytic Degradations -- 12.2.5 Phase Characteristics -- 12.2.6 Optoelectronic Properties -- 12.2.7 Encapsulation Capability -- 12.2.8 Self-Assembly Behavior -- 12.2.9 Biomedical Applications -- 12.3 Conclusions.

12.4 References -- 13. Kinetic Theory of Hyperbranched Polymerization -- 13.1 Introduction -- 13.2 AB 2 -Type Polycondensation -- 13.2.1 Molecular Size Distribution Function -- 13.2.2 Average Degree of Polymerization and Polydispersity -- 13.2.3 Substitution Effect -- 13.2.4 Degree of Branching -- 13.2.5 Effect of Core Molecules -- 13.3 Copolycondensation of AB 2 - and AB-Type Monomers -- 13.3.1 Molecular Size Distribution Function -- 13.3.2 Degree of Branching -- 13.4 Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization -- 13.4.1 Distribution Function and Molecular Parameters -- 13.4.2 Degree of Branching -- 13.4.3 Effect of Core Initiators -- 13.5 References -- 14. Grafting and Surface Properties of Hyperbranched Polymers -- 14.1 Introduction -- 14.2 Surface Grafting -- 14.2.1 "Grafting from" Approach -- 14.2.1.1 Step-by-Step Methodology -- 14.2.1.2 Graft-on-Graft Technique -- 14.2.1.3 Radical Polymerization -- 14.2.1.4 Ring-Opening Polymerization -- 14.2.2 "Grafting to" Approach -- 14.3 Surface Properties of Hyperbranched Polymers -- 14.4 Conclusions -- 14.5 References -- 15. Biological and Medical Applications of Hyperbranched Polymers -- 15.1 Introduction -- 15.2 Gene Delivery -- 15.2.1 Linear and Hyperbranched Poly(ethyleneimine) as Nonviral Gene Vectors -- 15.2.2 Modification of Poly(ethyleneimine) and Use of Adjuvant Polyglycerol -- 15.2.3 Hyperbranched Alternatives for Poly(ethyleneimine) as Gene Vectors -- 15.3 Drug Delivery -- 15.3.1 Drug Encapsulation and Conjugation -- 15.3.2 Controlled Release of Pesticides -- 15.4 Biomaterials -- 15.4.1 Surface Modification -- 15.4.2 Modification of Bulk Materials -- 15.4.3 Modification of Dental Resins -- 15.5 Biointeraction -- 15.5.1 Hyperbranched Polymers as Supports for Ligand Presentation -- 15.5.2 Other Applications -- 15.6 Conclusions -- 15.7 References.

16. Applications of Hyperbranched Polymers in Coatings, as Additives, and in Nanotechnology.