New discotic liquid crystals based on large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as materials for molecular electronics

A series of new columnar discotic liquid crystalline materials based on the superphenalene (C96) core has been synthesized by oxidative cyclodehydrogenation with iron(III) chloride of suitable three-dimensional oligophenylene precursors. These compounds were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and showed highly ordered supramolecular arrays and mesophase behavior over a broad temperature range. Good solubility, through the introduction of long alkyl chains, and the fact that these new superphenalene derivatives were found to be liquid crystalline at room temperature enabled the formation of highly ordered films (using the zone-casting technique), a requirement for application in organic electronic devices. The one-dimensional, intracolumnar charge carrier mobilities of superphenalene derivatives were determined using the pulse-radiolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity technique (PR-TRMC). Electrical properties of different C96-C12 architectures on mica surfaces were examined by using Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM). Hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (C42) derivatives substituted at the periphery with six branched alkyl ether chains were also synthesized. It was found that the introduction of ether groups within the side chains enhances the affinity of the discotic molecules towards polar surfaces, resulting in homeotropic self-assembly (as shown by POM and 2D-WAXS) when the compounds are processed from the isotropic state between two surfaces. A new, insoluble, superphenalene building block bearing six reactive sites was prepared, and was further used for the preparation of dendronized superphenalenes with bulky dendritic substituents around the core. UV/Vis and fluorescence experiments suggest reduced π-π stacking of the superphenalene cores as a result of steric hindrance between the peripheral dendritic units. A new family of graphitic molecules with partial ”zig-zag” periphery has been established. The incorporation of ”zig-zag” edges was shown to have a strong influence on the electronic properties of the new molecules (as studied by solution and solid-state UV/Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy), leading to a significant bathochromic shift with respect to the parent PAHs (C42 and C96). The reactivity of the additional double bonds was examined. The attachment of long alkyl chains to a ”zig-zag” superphenalene core afforded a new, processable, liquid crystalline material.

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl stabilized phosphorus and lead clusters

Die Hypersilylgruppe (Me3Si)3Si stellt einen sehr sperrigen, Elektronen liefernden Substituenten dar und kann zur Stabilisierung niedriger Oxidationsstufen sowie ungewöhnlicher Strukturelemente dienen. Durch Reaktionen der base-freien Hypersilanide der Alkalimetalle sowie des Dihypersilylplumbandiyls mit unterschiedlichsten phosphorhaltigen Reagenzien konnten eine Reihe hypersilyl-stabilisierter Phosphor- und Bleicluster-Verbindungen erhalten werden. Kaliumhypersilanid reagiert in Toluol glatt mit weißem Phosphor bei Raumtemperatur in Toluol unter quantitativer Bildung von rotem Kalium-bis(hypersilyl)tetraphosphenid [(Me3Si)3Si]2P4K2 (1), einem Kaliumsalz des Tetraphosphens (Me3Si)3Si-PH-P=P-PH-Si(SiMe3)3. In Benzol oder Toluol steht 1 im Gleichgewicht mit dem dimeren Octaphosphanid [(Me3Si)3Si]4P8K4 (2). Bei längerem Stehen der toluolischen Lösungen zerfällt 1 langsam vermutlich in Folge einer Protolyse zum gelben Pentaphosphanid [(Me3Si)3Si]3P5K2 (4). Aus benzolischer Lösung konnte hingegen ein weiteres Oktaphosphanid, [(Me3Si)3Si]3P8K3 (5), isoliert werden. Führt man die Reaktion Kaliumhypersilanid mit P4 in stärker koordinierenden Lösungsmitteln wie Diethylether durch, so entstehen neben 1 größere Mengen des Triphosphenids [(Me3Si)3Si]2P3K (3); dieses enthält ein Triphosphaallyl-Anion mit partieller P-P-Doppelbindung. Setzt man Lithiumhypersilanid mit weißem Phosphor um, so beobachtet man eine vollständig andere Produktpallette. Als Hauptprodukte lassen Polyphosphane wie beispielsweise [(Me3Si)3Si]2P4 (6) nachweisen, das zu 1 analoge [(Me3Si)3Si]2P4Li2 (7) entsteht nur in vergleichsweise kleinen Mengen. In der Gegenwart von Hexahydro-1,3,5-trimethyl-S-triazin, entsteht aus Lithiumhypersilanid und P4 hingegen im wesentlichen [(Me3Si)3Si]2P3Li (8) neben beträchtlichen Mengen von (Me3Si)4Si. Dessen Bildung erfordert eine Si-Si-Bindungsspaltung im Verlauf der Reaktion. Die Reaktion von Natriumhypersilanid mit P4 verläuft sehr unübersichtlich, das Pentaphosphanid [(Me3Si)3Si]3P5Na2 (9) ist das einzige isolierbare Produkt. Setzt man 1 mit [(Me3Si)2Si]2Sn um, so bilden sich überraschenderweise, je nach verwendetem Solvens [(Me3Si)3Si]3P4SnK (10) oder [(Me3Si)3Si]2[(Me3Si)2N]P4SnK (11). Alle neuen Verbindungen wurden NMR-spektroskopisch charakterisiert, die Phosphenide 1, 7, 8 sowie die Phosphanide 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 darüber hinaus durch Kristallstrukturanalysen. Dihypersilylplumbandiyl und -stannandiyl reagieren bei tiefer Temperatur mit P4, MPH2 (M=Li, K), PMe3, and PH3 zu formalen Lewis-Säure-Base-Addukten. Die Addukte {[(Me3Si)3Si]2PbPH2}M [M = Li (15), K (18)], {{[(Me3Si)3Si]2Pb}2PH2}M [M = Li (19), K (20)], und [(Me3Si)3Si]2EPMe3 [E = Pb (21), Sn (22)] wurden als kristalline Feststoffe erhalten und konnten vollständig charakterisiert werden. Die metastabilen Addukte {[(Me3Si)3Si]2E}4P4 (E = Pb, Sn) und [(Me3Si)3Si]2PbPH3 konnten lediglich NMR-spektroskopisch nachgewiesen werden. Bei Raumtemperatur entstehen in Folge von Ligandenaustausch-Prozessen die kristallographisch charakterisierten Heterokubane [(Me3Si)3Si]4P4E4 [E = Pb (12), Sn (14)], das Diphosphen (Me3Si)3SiP=PSi(SiMe3)3 (13) sowie der Pb2P2-Heterocyclus [(Me3Si)3SiPbP(H)Si(SiMe3)3]2 (17). Bei tiefer Temperatur wird aus einer sehr langsamen Reaktion von Dihypersilylplumbandiyl und PH3 in sehr kleinen Ausbeuten ein weiteres, völlig unerwartetes Produkt gebildet: der Bleicluster [(Me3Si)3Si]6Pb12 (23). Er weist ein verzerrt ikosaedrisches, zentrosymmetrisches Pb12-Gerüst auf. Nach jetzigen Erkenntnissen läuft seine Bildung über das nicht fassbare Hydridoplumbandiyl HPbSi(SiMe3)3, das intermediär durch Substituentenaustausch zwischen Pb[Si(SiMe3)3]2 and PH3 entsteht. Der Ersatz des Phosphans durch andere Hydridquellen wie (Ph3PCuH)6, (iBu)2AlH, and Me3NAlH3 führt ebenfalls zur Bildung von Bleiclustern, allerdings ist jetzt der Cluster [(Me3Si)3Si]6Pb10 (24) das Hauptprodukt. Beide Cluster, 23 und 24, gehorchen den Wade-Regeln.

Core-shell macromolecules with dendritic polyphenylene core and polymer shells

Core-shell macromolecules with dendritic polyphenylene core and polymer shell Zusammenfassung / Abstract Core-shell macromolecular structures have become of great interest in materials science because they gave an opportunity to combine a large variety of chemical and physical properties in the single molecule, by combination of different (in terms of chemistry and physics) cores and shells. The interest in such complex structures was provoked by their potential applications in the coating and painting industry (latexes), as supports for catalysts in polymer industry, or as nano-containers and transporters for genes or drug delivery. The aim of this study was the synthesis, characterization and further application of core-shell macromolecules possessing a hydrophobic stiff core (polyphenylene dendrimers) surrounded with a hydrophilic, soft, covalently bonded polymer shell (poly(ethylene oxide) and its copolymers). The requirements for such complex substances were that they should be well-defined in terms of molecular weight (narrow molecular weight distribution) and in molecular structure. The preparation of core-shell molecules containing dendrimer as a core was possible via two synthetic routs: “grafting-onto” and “grafting-from”. The resulting core-shell macromolecules possessed narrow polydispersity as guaranteed by the excellent structural and functional definition of the dendrimer and the narrow polydispersity of the PEO, PS-b-PEO and PI-b-PEO attached to the dendrimer surface. Additional investigation of the size of the particles indicated a relation between both the length and the number of the polymer chains and the hydrodynamic radius determined by Dynamic Light Scattering and Fluorescent Correlation Spectroscopy. Core-shell nano-particles were applied as metallocene supports in heterogeneous olefin polymerizations. Our results indicate that such catalyst systems, that have a size of at least one order of magnitude smaller than the used by now organic supports, could be very useful as model compounds for investigations on catalyst fragmentation and its influence on the product parameters.

Die Rolle Prolin-reicher Sequenzmotive des Core-Proteins in der Morphogenese des Hepatitis-B Virus

Diese Arbeit hatte zum Ziel, den Ausschleusungsmechanismus des Hepatitis-B Virus zu beleuchten. Es ist bisher unbekannt, wie das virale Nukleokapsid umhüllt und das reife Virion aus der Leberzelle freigesetzt wird. Bei einigen RNA-Viren, beispielsweise HIV-1, Ebola oder RSV, vermitteln so genannte Late-Domänen im viralen Kapsid- oder Matrix-Protein die Knospung der Viren an intrazellulären Membranen oder der Plasmamembran. Da das HBV-Core-Protein ähnliche Sequenzen trägt, wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit überprüft, welche Rolle diese im viralen Replikationszyklus spielen. Meine Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die beiden Prolin-reichen Sequenzen PPAY (129-132) und PPNAP (134-138), die retroviralen Late-Domänen ähneln, für die HBV-Morphogenese essentiell sind. Mutationen einzelner Aminosäuren innerhalb dieser Motive führen zu Phänotypen mit verändertem Kapsid-, Nukleokapsid- und Virus-Bildungs-Vermögen. Insbesondere sind die Aminosäure Tyrosin 132 des Motivs PPAY und die Prolinreste 134 und 135 des Motivs PPNAP erforderlich, da diese schon für die Bildung der Kapside unentbehrlich sind. Charakteristisch für beide Motive sind auch die hier gezeigten Interaktionen mit speziellen Wirtszellfaktoren, deren physiologische Funktion es ist, zelluläre Proteine in den endosomalen Sortierungsprozess einzuschleusen. Im Vordergrund stehen hier die E3 Ub-Ligase Nedd4, welche Proteine mit Ub konjugiert und diese so signifikant für die Einschleusung in das endosomale System markiert, und Tsg101, das als zentrale Komponente des ESCRT-I-Komplexes für die Erkennung von ubiquitinierten Proteinen zuständig ist und diese dadurch in die ESCRT-Kaskade des multivesikulären Endosoms einführt. Für die genannten Interaktionen ist das Motiv PPAY und hier wieder speziell das Tyrosin 132 des HBV-Core-Proteins für die Wechselwirkung mit Nedd4 notwendig. Hingegen vermittelt die L-Domänen-ähnliche Sequenz PPNAP die Assoziation von Core mit Tsg101, wobei die beiden Prolinreste 134 und 135 und auch das Asparagin 136 für die Interaktion essentiell sind. Sowohl Nedd4 als auch Tsg101 wirken im Zusammenhang mit Ubiquitin, weshalb eine Ubiquitinierung von Core, trotz bislang negativer Nachweise, wahrscheinlich ist. Zugunsten dieser Annahme spricht auch mein Nachweis, dass der Lysinrest an Position 96 des Core-Proteins, als potentieller Ub-Akzeptor, gerade in späten Schritten eine essentielle Rolle spielt. Weiterhin klärungsbedürftig ist auch die Frage, ob Core direkt mit Tsg101 und Nedd4 interagiert, oder ob andere Faktoren dazwischen geschaltet sind. Auch könnte mit Hilfe von siRNA-vermittelten Depletionsversuchen die physiologische Relevanz der Tsg101/Core-und Nedd4/Core-Interaktion weiterführend untersucht werden. Zudem zeigen meine Arbeiten, dass Core mit intrazellulären Membranen assoziiert, weshalb es interessant wäre, zu untersuchen, ob es sich hierbei um Membranen des endosomalen Systems handelt, an denen die finalen Schritte der Virus-Morphogenese stattfinden könnten.

Core-shell particles and their application for superhydrophobic surfaces

During the last years great effort has been devoted to the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces because of their self-cleaning properties. A water drop on a superhydrophobic surface rolls off even at inclinations of only a few degrees while taking up contaminants encountered on its way. rnSuperhydrophobic, self-cleaning coatings are desirable for convenient and cost-effective maintenance of a variety of surfaces. Ideally, such coatings should be easy to make and apply, mechanically resistant, and long-term stable. None of the existing methods have yet mastered the challenge of meeting all of these criteria.rnSuperhydrophobicity is associated with surface roughness. The lotus leave, with its dual scale roughness, is one of the most efficient examples of superhydrophobic surface. This thesis work proposes a novel technique to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces that introduces the two length scale roughness by growing silica particles (~100 nm in diameter) onto micrometer-sized polystyrene particles using the well-established Stöber synthesis. Mechanical resistance is conferred to the resulting “raspberries” by the synthesis of a thin silica shell on their surface. Besides of being easy to make and handle, these particles offer the possibility for improving suitability or technical applications: since they disperse in water, multi-layers can be prepared on substrates by simple drop casting even on surfaces with grooves and slots. The solution of the main problem – stabilizing the multilayer – also lies in the design of the particles: the shells – although mechanically stable – are porous enough to allow for leakage of polystyrene from the core. Under tetrahydrofuran vapor polystyrene bridges form between the particles that render the multilayer-film stable. rnMulti-layers are good candidate to design surfaces whose roughness is preserved after scratch. If the top-most layer is removed, the roughness can still be ensured by the underlying layer.rnAfter hydrophobization by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a semi-fluorinated silane, the surfaces are superhydrophobic with a tilting angle of a few degrees. rnrnrn

Synthesis and characterization of temperature- and light-responsive polymers and block copolymers

In summary, thermoresponsive polyacrylamides with various amounts of different photoswitchable side groups, i. e. azobenzene, salicylideneaniline and fulgimide were successfully prepared. As such, in a first step three different chromophores with an amine functionality were synthesized. The synthesis of the stimuli-responsive materials was based on the RAFT polymerization of activated ester acrylates followed by a polymer analogous reaction with different amines. The procedure has been designed to allow the synthesis of well-defined materials with functional groups. All copolymers prepared in this way showed a LCST in aqueous solution. The LCST was in general decreased by increasing the amount of hydrophobic dye incorporated into the thermoresponsive polymer. However, in the case of the fulgimide, the LCST was hardly affected by the chromophore. For azobenzene containing PNIPAM polymers and analogues, higher LCST values were measured after irradiation of the polymer sample solutions with UV-light (Delta LCSTmax = 7.3°C). A reversible light-induced solubility change within a certain temperature range was possible. In contrast to this, irradiated samples of salicylideneaniline containing thermoresponsive copolymers showed an irreversible increase in the LCST (Delta LCSTmax = 13.0°C). Fulgimide chromophores did not influence the LCST of PNIPAM based copolymers after UV-light exposure.rnSimilar to the thermoresponsive polyacrylamides with azobenzene side groups, poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) [P(OEGMA)] polymers with azobenzene end groups showed a LCST shift upon UV-irradiation. These polymers were synthesized by RAFT polymerization using a functional chain transfer agent (CTA). For this, PFP-CTA was used as a RAFT-agent for end group functionalization of (thermoresponsive) polymers. In contrast to the statistically arranged copolymers with azobenzene side groups, P(OEGMA) polymers with terminal azobenzene showed a linear increase of the LCST shifts with increasing amount of chromophore (Delta LCSTmax = 4.3°C). Noteworthy, the chemical nature of the end group exhibited a strong influence on the LCST in the case of short thermoresponsive P(OEGMA) polymers.rnThe investigation on temperature- and lightresponsive polymers was transferred onto block copolymers capable to self-assemble into polymeric micelles. Therefore, PEO-b-PNIPAM block copolymers with azobenzene moieties were synthesized successfully. These polymers showed a “smart” behavior in aqueous solution, as the reversible formation and disruption of the micelles could either be controlled by temperature or using light as a stimulus. The usefulness of these materials was demonstrated by encapsulation of a hydrophobic dye in the core of the micelle. Such materials might have a great potential as a model system for several technical or biological applications.rnFinally, double thermoresponsive block copolymers forming micellar structures in a certain temperature range with functional end groups could successfully be synthesized. These “smart materials” based on POEGMA-b-PNIPMAM have been demonstrated to be very promising for a temperature selective immobilization on a protein surface. This might be a suitable concept for further biological applications.rnConcluding, different thermoresponsive copolymers and block copolymers with lightresponsive moieties arranged along the backbone or located at the chain ends were successfully prepared and investigated. By controlling the nature of functional groups and their respective incorporation ratios, the LCST could be dialed in precisely. Further, the LCST of the polymers could be triggered by light. A light-controlled disruption of micellar structures could be shown for functional block copolymers. The importance of end groups of thermoresponsive polymers was demonstrated by a temperature-controlled protein-polymer binding of a terminal biotin-functionalized double thermoresponsive polymer. The synthetic approaches and the material properties presented here should be promising for further research and applications beyond this dissertation.rn

Hyperbranched polyglycerols as building blocks for complex amphiphilic structures: synthesis, characterization and applications

Among hyperbranched polymers, polyglycerol is one of the most promising and commonly used macromolecules due to its biocompatibility and versatility. However, the synthesis of high molecular weight polyglycerols still involves many intricacies and has only been understood to a limited extent. Furthermore, only few complex structures like star or block copolymers incorporating polyglycerol have been realized so far. Particularly biocompatible block copolymers are considered promising candidates for biomedical applications.rnThe scope of this thesis was the enhancement of the synthetic process leading to polyglycerol derivatives which implies improved molecular weight control for a broad molecular weight range as well as the assembly of more complex structures like amphiphilic block copolymers. Further insight into the relation between reaction solvent, degree of deprotonation during the ring-opening multibranching polymerization of glycidol and the characteristics of the obtained polymers were achieved within the scope of this work. Based on these results, a novel concept for the preparation of hyperbranched polyglycerols with molecular weights up to 20,000 g/mol was developed, applying a two step synthesis pathway. Starting from a partially deprotonated TMP core, low molecular weight hb-PGs were prepared using the known synthetic protocol that has been established since the late 1990ies. In a subsequent reaction sequence, these well defined polymers were used as hyperbranched macroinitiator cores in order to obtain high molecular weight hb-PGs with remarkably low polydispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.8). Molecular weight control was shown to be excellent and undesired low molecular weight side products were absent. Furthermore, the technique of continuous spin fractionation has been discovered as an efficient method for polyglycerol work-up to remove quantitatively residual monomer- and oligomer traces from hb-PG compositions to result in samples with significantly reduced polydispersities. Based on these results the synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers containing hydrophilic hyperbranched polyglycerol blocks and linear, apolar poly(propylene oxide) blocks has been significantly improved and augmented to hb-PG-b-l-PPO-b-hb-PG ABA block copolymers. The influence of different polyglycerol-based amphiphiles on the fibril formation was studied by Thioflavin T Fluorescence showing remarkable increasing lag times which is promising in order to enhance the stability of this protein. In addition the first synthesis of poly(glyceryl glycerols) (PGG), introducing a new solketyl glycidyl ether monomer (IGG) was shown. It was furthermore demonstrated that core-functional carbosilane wedges allow application in block copolymer synthesis. Bisglycidolized amine functional polymers were successfully employed as macroinitiators for glycidol polymerization. This resulted in the first example of amphiphilic hyperbranched-hyperbranched polymer structures. Finally, it has been shown that the previously reported synthetic pathway to carboxylated hyperbranched polyglycerol polyelectrolytes can also be applied for the amphiphilic linear-hyperbranched block copolymers. These novel biocompatible and highly amphiphilic polyelectrolytes offer great potential for further investigations. rnrn

Poly(lactide): from hyperbranched copolyesters to new block copolymers with functional methacrylates

The prologue of this thesis (Chapter 1.0) gives a general overview on lactone based poly(ester) chemistry with a focus on advanced synthetic strategies for ring-opening polymerization, including the emerging field of organo catalysis. This section is followed by a presentation of the state-of the art regarding the two central fields of the thesis: (i) polyfunctional and branched poly(ester)s in Chapter 1.1 as well as (ii) the development of new poly(ester) based block copolymers with functional methacrylates (Chapter 1.2). Chapter 2 deals with the synthesis of new, non-linear poly(ester) structures. In Chapter 2.1, the synthesis of poly(lactide)-based multiarm stars, prepared via a grafting-from method, is described. The hyperbranched poly(ether)-poly(ol) poly(glycerol) is employed as a hydrophilic core molecule. The resulting star block copolymers exhibit potential as phase transfer agents and can stabilize hydrophilic dyes in a hydrophobic environment. In Chapter 2.2, this approach is expanded to poly(glycolide) multiarm star polymers. The problem of the poor solubility of linear poly(glycolide)s in common organic solvents combined with an improvement of the thermal properties has been approached by the reduction of the total chain length. In Chapter 2.3, the first successful synthesis of hyperbranched poly(lactide)s is presented. The ring-opening, multibranching copolymerization of lactide with the “inimer” 5HDON (a hydroxyl-functional lactone monomer) was carefully examined. Besides a precise molecular characterization involving the determination of the degree of branching, we were able to put forward a reaction model for the formation of branching during polymerization. Several innovative approaches to amphiphilic poly(ester)/poly(methacrylate)-based block copolymers are presented in the third part of the thesis (Chapter 3). Block copolymer build-up especially relies on the combination of ring-opening and living radical polymerization. Atom transfer radical polymerization has been successfully combined with lactide ring-opening, using a “double headed” initiator. This strategy allowed for the realization of poly(lactide)-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymers, which represent promising materials for tissue engineering scaffolds with anti-fouling properties (Chapter 3.1). The two-step/one-pot approach forgoes the use of protecting groups for HEMA by a careful selection of the reaction conditions. A series of potentially biocompatible and partially biodegradable homo- and block copolymers is described in Chapter 3.2. In order to create a block copolymer with a comparably strong hydrophilic character, a new acetal-protected glycerol monomethacrylate monomer (cis-1,3- benzylidene glycerol methacrylate/BGMA) was designed. The hydrophobic poly(BGMA) could be readily transformed into the hydrophilic and water-soluble poly(iso-glycerol methacrylate) (PIGMA) by mild acidic hydrolysis. Block copolymers of PIGMA and poly(lactide) exhibited interesting spherical aggregates in aqueous environment which could be significantly influenced by variation of the poly(lactide)s stereo-structure. In Chapter 3.3, pH-sensitive poly(ethylene glycol)-b-PBGMA copolymers are described. At slightly acidic pH values (pH 4/37°C), they decompose due to a polarity change of the BGMA block caused by progressing acetal cleavage. This stimuli-responsive behavior renders the system highly attractive for the targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs. In Chapter 3.4, which was realized in cooperation, the concept of biocompatible, amphiphilic poly(lactide) based polymer drug conjugates, was pursued. This was accomplished in the form of fluorescently labeled poly(HPMA)-b-poly(lactide) copolymers. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) of partially biodegradable block copolymer aggregates exhibited fast cellular uptake by human cervix adenocarcinoma cells without showing toxic effects in the examined concentration range (Chapter 4.1). The current state of further projects which will be pursued in future studies is addressed in Chapter 4. This covers the synthesis of biocompatible star block copolymers (Chapter 4.2) and the development of new methacrylate monomers for biomedical applications (Chapters 4.3 and 4.4). Finally, the further investigation of hydroxyl-functional lactones and carbonates which are promising candidates for the synthesis of new hydrophilic linear or hyperbranched biopolymers, is addressed in Chapter 4.5.