Comparison of Properties among Dendritic and Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone)s and Linear Poly(ether ketone)s

Poly(ether ether ketone) dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers were prepared from 3,5-dimethoxy-4′-(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenyl ether and 3,5-dihydroxy-4′-(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenyl ether through aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions. 1-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene was polycondensed with bisphenols, followed by cleavage of the protective group to form linear poly(ether ketone)s having the same hydroxyl groups in the side chains as the chain ends of the dendrimer and hyperbranched polymers. Their properties, such as solubilities, reduced viscosities, and thermal properties, were compared with one another. Similar comparisons were also carried out among the corresponding methoxy group polymers, and the size of the molecules was shown to affect the properties.

A key characteristic of these polymers is a branched structure with a large number of chain end groups, to which their low ability of forming intermolecular entanglements is generally ascribed [16]. Hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers have been modified by introduction of functional groups to the chain-end or chain backbone, and a variety of applications, such as encapsulators [33,34], composite materials [35][36][37][38], ion-exchange membranes [39], gas separation membrane [40], photoresistors [41], nonlinear optical devices [42,43], diodes [44], cross-linkers [45][46][47] and heterogeneous catalyst [48][49][50][51] have been investigated. In addition, the applications to size-sensitive host [52], subnanomaterial synthesis [53], pH-responsive agents [54], MRI agents [55][56][57] and drug delivery [58] have been examined due to the precise nanostructures found in dendrimers. The feasibility of these applications was thought to benefit from the presence of a large number of functional sites within the compact space. Linear polymers having functional sites in the side chains are structurally similar, thus the same applications may be possible by using linear polymers having functional sites in the side chains. Therefore, it is important to compare the properties of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers with those of linear polymers having the same functional groups in the side chains as the end groups of Reaction of DenG0-OH with 1 in the presence of potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (DMAc) and toluene gave the first generation dendrimer (DenG1-OMe) [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope. The methoxy groups of DenG1-OMe were converted to hydroxyl terminal first generation (DenG1-OH) by the treatment with pyridine hydrochloride at 240 °C. Further reaction of DenG1-OH with 1 gave the second generation dendrimer (DenG2-OMe), and DenG2-OMe was converted to hydroxyl terminal second generation (DenG2-OH). One more repetition of the procedure gave the third generation dendrimer (DenG3-OMe), and hydroxyl Reaction of DenG0-OH with 1 in the presence of potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (DMAc) and toluene gave the first generation dendrimer (DenG1-OMe) [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope. The methoxy groups of DenG1-OMe were converted to hydroxyl terminal first generation (DenG1-OH) by the treatment with pyridine hydrochloride at 240˝C. Further reaction of DenG1-OH with 1 gave the second generation dendrimer (DenG2-OMe), and DenG2-OMe was converted to hydroxyl terminal second generation (DenG2-OH). One more repetition of the procedure gave the third generation dendrimer (DenG3-OMe), and hydroxyl terminal third generation (DenG3-OH). All the dendrimers were purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the final isolated yields of DenG1-OMe, DenG2-OMe, and DenG3-OMe were 92%, 83%, and 64%, respectively, and those of DenG1-OH, DenG2-OH, and DenG3-OH were 95%, 91%, and 87%, respectively. The growth and purity were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and MALDI-TOF.

Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone)s
Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OH) were synthesized by one-step polycondensation of AB 2 -type monomer, 3,5-dihydroxy-4 1 -(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenylether (2) (Scheme 2) [31]. The polymerization proceeded in the presence of K 2 CO 3 at 120-165˝C using a mixture of DMAc and toluene as the solvent [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope to promote polymerization. The yield was 88%, and GPC analysis of Hyper-OH gave a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 5200 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 20300, which were calibrated against polystyrene standards ( Figure 1). With the help of the dendrimers and model compound, 1 H-NMR studies revealed that the degree of branching of Hyper-OH was 52%. Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OMe) having methoxy groups in the chain ends were prepared by reaction of Hyper-OH with dimethyl sulfate. terminal third generation (DenG3-OH). All the dendrimers were purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the final isolated yields of DenG1-OMe, DenG2-OMe, and DenG3-OMe were 92%, 83%, and 64%, respectively, and those of DenG1-OH, DenG2-OH, and DenG3-OH were 95%, 91%, and 87%, respectively. The growth and purity were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and MALDI-TOF.

Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone)s
Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OH) were synthesized by one-step polycondensation of AB2-type monomer, 3,5-dihydroxy-4′-(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenylether (2) (Scheme 2) [31]. The polymerization proceeded in the presence of K2CO3 at 120-165 °C using a mixture of DMAc and toluene as the solvent [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope to promote polymerization. The yield was 88%, and GPC analysis of Hyper-OH gave a numberaverage molecular weight (Mn) of 5200 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 20300, which were calibrated against polystyrene standards ( Figure 1). With the help of the dendrimers and model compound, 1 H-NMR studies revealed that the degree of branching of Hyper-OH was 52%. Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OMe) having methoxy groups in the chain ends were prepared by reaction of Hyper-OH with dimethyl sulfate.  terminal third generation (DenG3-OH). All the dendrimers were purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the final isolated yields of DenG1-OMe, DenG2-OMe, and DenG3-OMe were 92%, 83%, and 64%, respectively, and those of DenG1-OH, DenG2-OH, and DenG3-OH were 95%, 91%, and 87%, respectively. The growth and purity were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and MALDI-TOF.

Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone)s
Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OH) were synthesized by one-step polycondensation of AB2-type monomer, 3,5-dihydroxy-4′-(4-fluorobenzoyl)diphenylether (2) (Scheme 2) [31]. The polymerization proceeded in the presence of K2CO3 at 120-165 °C using a mixture of DMAc and toluene as the solvent [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope to promote polymerization. The yield was 88%, and GPC analysis of Hyper-OH gave a numberaverage molecular weight (Mn) of 5200 and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 20300, which were calibrated against polystyrene standards ( Figure 1). With the help of the dendrimers and model compound, 1 H-NMR studies revealed that the degree of branching of Hyper-OH was 52%. Hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s (Hyper-OMe) having methoxy groups in the chain ends were prepared by reaction of Hyper-OH with dimethyl sulfate.

Linear Poly(ether ketone)s Having Hydroxyl Groups in the Side Chains
Linear poly(ether ketone)s having hydroxyl groups in the side chains can be synthesized by polycondensation of an AB-type monomer derived by protecting only one hydroxyl group in 2, followed by cleavage of the protective group. Since we could not synthesized one such hydroxyl group protected compound, 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenol (3) was used for the synthesis of the linear type polymer, which was similar to the linear type poly(ether ether ketone) from 2.
1-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (4), derived from 3 [60,61], was polycondensed with bisphenols, bisphenol A and hydroquinone, and followed by cleavage of the protective group to form linear poly(ether ketone)s (Scheme 3). Polymerization of 4 with the bisphenols was carried out in the presence of K 2 CO 3 at 120-165˝C using a mixture of DMAc and toluene as the solvent [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope to promote the polymerization. The polymerizations proceeded homogeneously without gelation. The mixture was poured into water and treated with hydrochloric acid [60,61] to form hydroxyl linear poly(ether ketone)s (Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ) having hydroxyl groups in the side chains. The formations of Linear-OHs were confirmed by appearance of adsorption bands at around 1150 cm´1 characteristic due to ether group and 3600-3200 cm´1 due to hydroxyl group in the IR spectra.

Linear Poly(ether ketone)s Having Hydroxyl Groups in the Side Chains
Linear poly(ether ketone)s having hydroxyl groups in the side chains can be synthesized by polycondensation of an AB-type monomer derived by protecting only one hydroxyl group in 2, followed by cleavage of the protective group. Since we could not synthesized one such hydroxyl group protected compound, 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenol (3) was used for the synthesis of the linear type polymer, which was similar to the linear type poly(ether ether ketone) from 2.
1-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (4), derived from 3 [60,61], was polycondensed with bisphenols, bisphenol A and hydroquinone, and followed by cleavage of the protective group to form linear poly(ether ketone)s (Scheme 3). Polymerization of 4 with the bisphenols was carried out in the presence of K2CO3 at 120-165 °C using a mixture of DMAc and toluene as the solvent [59]. The water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope to promote the polymerization. The polymerizations proceeded homogeneously without gelation. The mixture was poured into water and treated with hydrochloric acid [60,61] to form hydroxyl linear poly(ether ketone)s (Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ) having hydroxyl groups in the side chains. The formations of Linear-OHs were confirmed by appearance of adsorption bands at around 1150 cm −1 characteristic due to ether group and 3600-3200 cm −1 due to hydroxyl group in the IR spectra. In the 1 H-NMR spectra ( Figure 2) measured for Linear-OH-BisA, the signals assigned to the tert-butyldimethylsilyl group were not observed after treatment with hydrochloric acid, and the deprotection reaction proceeded completely. We also attempted to synthesized 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)anisole (5), the methyl protected compound of 3, for linear poly(ether ketone)s as in the case of the dendrimers. However, while poly(ether ketone) dendrons could be synthesized from 5 [3], the methyl groups could not be completely converted to hydroxyl groups in this synthesis of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ. The yields of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ were 87% and 85%, respectively. GPC analysis of Linear-OH-BisA gave Mn of 11000 and Mw of 23000, and that of Linear-OH-HQ gave Mn of 8200 and Mw of 18000 ( Figure 1). Their molecular weight distributions In the 1 H-NMR spectra ( Figure 2) measured for Linear-OH-BisA, the signals assigned to the tert-butyldimethylsilyl group were not observed after treatment with hydrochloric acid, and the deprotection reaction proceeded completely. We also attempted to synthesized 3,5-bis(4-fluoro-benzoyl)anisole (5), the methyl protected compound of 3, for linear poly(ether ketone)s as in the case of the dendrimers. However, while poly(ether ketone) dendrons could be synthesized from 5 [3], the methyl groups could not be completely converted to hydroxyl groups in this synthesis of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ. The yields of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ were 87% and 85%, respectively. GPC analysis of Linear-OH-BisA gave Mn of 11000 and Mw of 23000, and that of Linear-OH-HQ gave Mn of 8200 and Mw of 18000 ( Figure 1). Their molecular weight distributions were about 2.0, and smaller than that of Hyper-OH. Molecular weight distribution of Hyperbranched polymer is thought to be higher than that linear polymer due to distribution of DB as well as molecular weight. Linear poly(ether ketone)s (Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ) having methoxyl groups in the side chains were prepared by polycondensation of 5 and the bisphenols. were about 2.0, and smaller than that of Hyper-OH. Molecular weight distribution of Hyperbranched polymer is thought to be higher than that linear polymer due to distribution of DB as well as molecular weight. Linear poly(ether ketone)s (Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ) having methoxyl groups in the side chains were prepared by polycondensation of 5 and the bisphenols.

Comparison of Properties
The solubilities, solution viscosities, and thermal properties of poly(ether ether ketone) dendrimers, hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s, and linear poly(ether ketone)s having hydroxyl groups in the side chains were compared, and the effect of the size of the molecules on the properties was evaluated. Those of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ were also compared to evaluate effect of terminal group. Table 1 shows a solubility comparison between DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ. They were all soluble in NMP, DMAc, and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. DenG3-OMe and Hyper-OMe were also soluble in pyridine and non-polar solvents, such as chloroform and toluene, showed broad solubility, but Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ were insoluble in pyridine and toluene. Table 2 shows solubilities of DenG3-OH, Hyper-OH, Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ. They were soluble in pyridine as well as NMP, DMAc, and tetrahydrofuran, and the functional groups in the termini or side chains were reflected in the solubility.
The effect of the size of the molecules on the solubility was observed in alkaline aqueous solution. DenG3-OH was soluble in 1 M aqueous NaOH solution, Hyper-OH was soluble upon heating, and Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ were insoluble even with heating. DenG3-OH was also soluble in methanol.

Comparison of Properties
The solubilities, solution viscosities, and thermal properties of poly(ether ether ketone) dendrimers, hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone)s, and linear poly(ether ketone)s having hydroxyl groups in the side chains were compared, and the effect of the size of the molecules on the properties was evaluated. Those of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ were also compared to evaluate effect of terminal group. Table 1 shows a solubility comparison between DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ. They were all soluble in NMP, DMAc, and tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. DenG3-OMe and Hyper-OMe were also soluble in pyridine and non-polar solvents, such as chloroform and toluene, showed broad solubility, but Linear-OMe-BisA and Linear-OMe-HQ were insoluble in pyridine and toluene. Table 2 shows solubilities of DenG3-OH, Hyper-OH, Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ. They were soluble in pyridine as well as NMP, DMAc, and tetrahydrofuran, and the functional groups in the termini or side chains were reflected in the solubility.
The effect of the size of the molecules on the solubility was observed in alkaline aqueous solution. DenG3-OH was soluble in 1 M aqueous NaOH solution, Hyper-OH was soluble upon heating, and Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ were insoluble even with heating. DenG3-OH was also soluble in methanol.        Their higher values suggested a higher degree of interaction with the solvent due to the polarity of the hydroxyl groups. The reduced viscosity of DenG3-OH was independent of the concentration, that of Hyper-OH increased slightly with concentration, and those of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ increased more significantly than Hyper-OH. The reduced viscosity of the Linear-OHs also increased more than Linear-OMes. The concentration dependence of the reduced viscosity of Hyper-OH slightly reflected the aspect of linear polymer. The length between branching points of Hyper-OH is long due to the benzophenone unit, and this effect may be observed.
Thermal properties were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Figure 5 shows DSC behaviors of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ. They seemed to be non-crystalline, and only Tg was observed. Tgs of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ were 101, 160, 105 and 144 °C, respectively, and the order of increasing Tg values was DenG3-OMe < Linear-OMe-BisA < Linear-OMe-HQ < Hyper-OMe. The structure of the dendrimer molecule was near spherical due to perfect branching and compact structures, but that of the hyperbranched molecule was not near spherical due to moderate DB (52%), and the surface area of the hyperbranched molecule was larger. The interaction between the hyperbranched molecules  Their higher values suggested a higher degree of interaction with the solvent due to the polarity of the hydroxyl groups. The reduced viscosity of DenG3-OH was independent of the concentration, that of Hyper-OH increased slightly with concentration, and those of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ increased more significantly than Hyper-OH. The reduced viscosity of the Linear-OHs also increased more than Linear-OMes. The concentration dependence of the reduced viscosity of Hyper-OH slightly reflected the aspect of linear polymer. The length between branching points of Hyper-OH is long due to the benzophenone unit, and this effect may be observed. Thermal properties were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Figure 5 shows DSC behaviors of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ. They seemed to be non-crystalline, and only T g was observed. T g s of DenG3-OMe, Hyper-OMe, Linear-OMe-BisA, and Linear-OMe-HQ were 101, 160, 105 and 144˝C, respectively, and the order of increasing T g values was DenG3-OMe < Linear-OMe-BisA < Linear-OMe-HQ < Hyper-OMe. The structure of the dendrimer molecule was near spherical due to perfect branching and compact structures, but that of the hyperbranched molecule was not near spherical due to moderate DB (52%), and the surface area of the hyperbranched molecule was larger. The interaction between the hyperbranched molecules was thought to be larger due to the larger surface area. T g of hyperbranched molecules is thought to be higher than linear polymers due to both branching and the interaction among molecules. was thought to be larger due to the larger surface area. Tg of hyperbranched molecules is thought to be higher than linear polymers due to both branching and the interaction among molecules.   DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH also seemed to be non-crystalline, and Tgs were observed at 144 and 190 °C, respectively. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited Tg at 145 °C followed by exothermic crystallization at 250-305 °C, and Linear-OH-HQ exhibited Tg at 155 °C followed by exothermic crystallization at 280-340 °C. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited an endothermic melting peak at 305-320 °C. Tgs of Hyper-OMe and Hyper-OH were also much higher than the corresponding dendrimers and linear polymers, and in contrast to the polyesters having hydroxyl groups [15]. Tgs of hyperbranched and dendritic polyesters having hydroxyl groups in the chain ends were almost the same as the Tg of the linear polyester having hydroxyl groups in the side chains. DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH did not crystallize, but Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ crystallized. Dendritic polymers could not be crystallized due to their branching structures, and attachment of crystalline molecules to the chain ends as a molecular scaffold was reported to be necessary for the crystallization of hyperbranched polymers [18,24]. Since the chains of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ without branching were flexible, the crystallizations were thought to be induced due to hydrogen bonding by the hydroxyl groups. was thought to be larger due to the larger surface area. Tg of hyperbranched molecules is thought to be higher than linear polymers due to both branching and the interaction among molecules.   Figure 6 shows DSC behaviors of DenG3-OH, Hyper-OH, Linear-OH-BisA, and Linear-OH-HQ. DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH also seemed to be non-crystalline, and Tgs were observed at 144 and 190 °C, respectively. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited Tg at 145 °C followed by exothermic crystallization at 250-305 °C, and Linear-OH-HQ exhibited Tg at 155 °C followed by exothermic crystallization at 280-340 °C. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited an endothermic melting peak at 305-320 °C. Tgs of Hyper-OMe and Hyper-OH were also much higher than the corresponding dendrimers and linear polymers, and in contrast to the polyesters having hydroxyl groups [15]. Tgs of hyperbranched and dendritic polyesters having hydroxyl groups in the chain ends were almost the same as the Tg of the linear polyester having hydroxyl groups in the side chains. DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH did not crystallize, but Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ crystallized. Dendritic polymers could not be crystallized due to their branching structures, and attachment of crystalline molecules to the chain ends as a molecular scaffold was reported to be necessary for the crystallization of hyperbranched polymers [18,24]. Since the chains of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ without branching were flexible, the crystallizations were thought to be induced due to hydrogen bonding by the hydroxyl groups.  DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH also seemed to be non-crystalline, and T g s were observed at 144 and 190˝C, respectively. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited T g at 145˝C followed by exothermic crystallization at 250-305˝C, and Linear-OH-HQ exhibited T g at 155˝C followed by exothermic crystallization at 280-340˝C. Linear-OH-BisA exhibited an endothermic melting peak at 305-320˝C. T g s of Hyper-OMe and Hyper-OH were also much higher than the corresponding dendrimers and linear polymers, and in contrast to the polyesters having hydroxyl groups [15]. T g s of hyperbranched and dendritic polyesters having hydroxyl groups in the chain ends were almost the same as the T g of the linear polyester having hydroxyl groups in the side chains. DenG3-OH and Hyper-OH did not crystallize, but Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ crystallized. Dendritic polymers could not be crystallized due to their branching structures, and attachment of crystalline molecules to the chain ends as a molecular scaffold was reported to be necessary for the crystallization of hyperbranched polymers [18,24]. Since the chains of Linear-OH-BisA and Linear-OH-HQ without branching were flexible, the crystallizations were thought to be induced due to hydrogen bonding by the hydroxyl groups.

General Information
1 H-and 13 C-NMR spectra were recorded on a JNM-GSX400 FT-NMR spectrometer (JEOL, Akishima, Japan) and IR spectra were recorded on a IR 435 spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). GPC was carried out on a PL gel 5μ MIXED-C analytical column (Polymer Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan) with tetrahydrofuran as the eluent. Reduced viscosity was measured at various concentrations using an Ubbelohde-type capillary viscometer (Shibata, Sohka, Japan) in DMAc at

General Information
1 H-and 13 C-NMR spectra were recorded on a JNM-GSX400 FT-NMR spectrometer (JEOL, Akishima, Japan) and IR spectra were recorded on a IR 435 spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). GPC was carried out on a PL gel 5µ MIXED-C analytical column (Polymer Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan) with tetrahydrofuran as the eluent. Reduced viscosity was measured at various concentrations using an Ubbelohde-type capillary viscometer (Shibata, Sohka, Japan) in DMAc at 30˝C. MALDI-TOF MS were measured on a Shimadzu/Kratos Kompact MALDI II (Shimadzu) equipped with a 337 nm nitrogen laser. DSC was performed with a Shimadzu DSC-60 (Shimadzu), instrument and measurements were made at a heating rate of 10˝C min´1 in nitrogen. The results from first scan were displayed in Figures 5 and 6.

Third Generation Dendrimer (DenG3-OMe)
In a flask, a mixture of 1 (7.05 g, 20 mmol), DenG0-OH (1.70 g , 2.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.76 g, 20 mmol), toluene (30 mL), and DMAc (60 mL) was stirred at 130˝C for 1 h. The temperature was raised to 160˝C and water formed during the reaction was removed as an azeotrope with toluene. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 1.5 h. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled to about 80˝C, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure of 15-20 torr. The residue was washed with water (300 mL) and extracted twice with methylene chloride (200 mL). After the combined extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, the solvent was evaporated. Pure DenG1-OMe was obtained by silica gel column chromatography beginning with methylene chloride as the eluent and gradually changing to methylene chloride and ethyl acetate (20:1), yield: 92%.
DenG1-OMe (5.35 g, 2 mmol) was heated together with pyridine hydrochloride (50 g) at reflux temperature for about 30 min. After the reaction mixture was homogeneous, it was poured into water (1000 mL), and extracted twice with ethyl acetate (100 mL). The combined extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, pure DenG1-OH was obtained by silica gel column chromatography by methylene chloride and ethyl acetate (1:1). Yield: 95%.
DenG3-OMe was prepared by the same procedure as that for synthesis of DenG1-OMe using DenG2-OH (1.

Hyperbranched Poly(ether ether ketone) (Hyper-OH)
A mixture of 2 (1.62 g, 5 mmol), potassium carbonate (0.373 g, 2.7 mmol), toluene (10 mL) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) (20 mL) was stirred in a flask at 120˝C. The temperature was then raised from 120˝C to 165˝C, to remove water formed during the reaction as an azeotrope with toluene. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 6 h. The polymerization proceeded homogeneously. After the reaction was completed, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured into 300 mL of methanol. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and methanol, and dried under vacuum. Yield 88%; white powder; Elemental Analysis: C 19  A mixture of 2 (1.62 g, 5 mmol), potassium carbonate (0.373 g, 2.7 mmol), toluene (10 mL) and DMAc (20 mL) was stirred in a flask at 120˝C. The temperature was then raised from 120˝C to 165˝C to remove water formed during the reaction as an azeotrope with toluene, and the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 6 h. After the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, methyl sulfate (0.38 g, 3 mmol) and potassium carbonate (0.42 g, 3 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred at 80˝C for another 6 h, cooled to room temperature, and poured into 300 mL of methanol. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed thoroughly with water and methanol, and dried under vacuum. Yield: 85%; white powder; Elemental Analysis: C 20   A mixture of 4 (1.13 g, 2.5 mmol), bisphenol A (0.571 g, 2.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (0.345 g, 2.5 mmol), toluene (10 mL) and DMAc (20 mL) was stirred in a flask at 120˝C. The temperature was then raised from 120˝C to 165˝C, to remove water formed during the reaction as an azeotrope in toluene. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 6 h. The polymerization proceeded homogeneously. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and poured into water (300 mL). The Compound 5 (0.846 g, 2.5 mmol), bisphenol A (0.571 g, 2.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (0.345 g, 2.5 mmol), toluene (10 mL) and DMAc (20 mL) were stirred in a flask at 120˝C. The temperature was then raised from 120˝C to 165˝C to remove water formed during the reaction as an azeotrope in toluene. The reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for 6 h. The polymerization proceeded homogeneously. After the reaction was completed, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, and poured into water (300 mL). The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, and dried under vacuum. Yield 93%; white powder; Td 370˝C; Elemental Analysis: C 36

Conclusions
1-(tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy)-3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene was polycondensed with bisphenols, followed by cleavage of the protective group to form linear poly(ether ketone)s, and the properties, such as solubilities, reduced viscosities and thermal properties, were compared with those of poly(ether ether ketone) dendrimer having hydroxyl chain ends and hyperbranched poly(ether ether ketone) having hydroxyl chain ends. A similar comparison was carried out with the corresponding methoxy group polymers. The solubilities of the dendrimers and the hyperbranched polymers were higher than the linear polymers. The reduced viscosities in DMAc of the hyperbranched polymers and the linear polymers increased with the concentrations, but those of the linear polymers increased more significantly. The order of increasing T g s was hyperbranched polymers > linear polymers > dendrimers, and the hydroxyl linear polymers crystallized thermally. The molecular size was shown to affect their properties.