posted on 2004-01-20, 00:00authored byXinyuan Zhu, Liang Chen, Deyue Yan, Qun Chen, Yefeng Yao, Yan Xiao, Jian Hou, Jingye Li
A new class of crystalline inclusion complexes of a multiarm hyperbranched polyether combined with
various cyclodextrins (CDs) was successfully prepared. Using self-condensing ring-opening polymerization,
a kind of multiarm polyether with a hyperbranched poly(3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol) core and multiple
linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) arms was obtained. It has been found that this kind of hyperbranched
polyether can be dissolved in water. Adding α-CDs to the multiarm hyperbranched polyether solution,
molecular recognition results in the formation of crystalline inclusion complexes based on the noncovalent
interactions between the linear PEG arms of the polyether particles and the α-CDs. These multiarm
polyether inclusion complexes have been well characterized. Interestingly, quite different from inclusion
complexes of CDs and linear polymeric guests, the complexes of the multiarm hyperbranched polyether
with α-CDs show a novel lamellar morphology. The experimental results validate that the resultant lamellar
crystals have a juxtaposed structure. In addition, the formation mechanism of these inclusion complexes
of a multiarm polyether with α-CDs has also been well described. Besides the role of displacement of
associated water molecules and the presence of hydrogen bonding between CDs in channel structure CD
inclusion complexes, the noncovalent intermolecular forces between CDs and polymers also play an important
role in the formation of complex architectures.