Multireactivity polymercaptans, star polymers and methods of preparation

摘要

The present invention is directed to multireactivity polymercaptans, star-shaped copolymers and methods of preparing wherein the polymer comprises a polyvalent mercaptan core and three or more polymeric arms which extend radially from the core. The polyvalent mercaptan core comprises three or more thiol groups, wherein at least two of the thiol groups are of different reactivities, such that the core is of differential reactivity. These multifunctional thiols, which will be referred to as cores of differential reactivity, act as chain transfer agents in a free radical polymerization process.