Abstract
This article describes various types of star-shaped polymers that are prepared by living cationic polymerization in three ways : (A) linking reactions of living polymers with divinyl compounds ; (B) living polymerization with a multifunctional initiator ; and (C) quenching of living polymers with a multifunctional coupling agent. The three methods also led to star-shaped polymers with polar functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl, including amphiphilic, water-soluble, or end-functionalized star polymers. The star-shaped polymers differ in properties such as solubility and host-guest interaction from the corresponding linear polymers.
