Hyperbranched polymers containing cyclopentadienyliron complexes

A number of hyperbranched polymers containing cyclopentadienyliron moieties were prepared using the A(2)+B-3 method. The A(2) compounds used were common diols, dithiols or dichloroarenecomplexes. B-3 compounds included either prepared star-shaped molecules or a purchased triol. The effect of the reaction conditions on the properties of the products was probed. Analysis of the prepared polymers was conducted using H-1 and C-13 NMR, viscometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Viscometry values were generally found to be low, in the range of 0.175-0.300 dl/g. TGA showed losses starting at approximately 230 degrees C and ending at 280 degrees C, corresponding to the decomposition of the cyclopentadienyliron moiety. Degradation of the polyether backbone was found to occur starting at 390-567 degrees C. Glass transition temperatures were found to be between 60 and 134 degrees C, whereas melting temperatures ranged from 155 to 190 degrees C.