Dendrimers in Thiol-ene Crosslinked Networks and the Effect of Subsequent Generations on Thermoset Properties

A series of well-defined allyl-ether functionalized polyester dendrimers has been synthesized via the divergent approach using traditional esterification reactions. Two commercially available trifunctional thiols, trimethylolpropane tri(3-mercaptopropanoate) (TRIS) and ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri(3-mercaptopropanoate) (ETTMP), were incorporated with the dendrimers into the thiol-ene polymer networks. The thiol-ene reactions were conducted at room temperature and cured by UV light without the addition of photoinitiatior. Highly crosslinked films were obtained and characterized with respect to mechanical (DMA) and thermal (DSC and TGA) properties. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 589-601, 2009