By
combining topological structures of hyperbranched polymers with
dendronized polymers, a series of hyperbranched poly(acylhydrazone)s
pendanted with 3-fold branched dendritic oligoethylene glycol (OEG)
units were efficiently prepared through A
2
+ B
3
polycondensation. The constituents of these dendritic polymers can
be mediated through dynamic covalent acylhydrazones. Owing to the
dense OEG pendants, these dendronized hyperbranched polymers are biocompatible
and thermoresponsive, and their cloud points (
T
cp
s) can be modulated by the branched architecture, solution
pH, and addition of a third component. Cell viability in the presence
of these hyperbranched poly(acylhydrazone)s can be maintained above
80%. Based on the unique dendritic architecture with rich acylhydrazine
groups, dynamic hydrogels cross-linked via acylhydrazone linkages
with good mechanical property were prepared, which inherit the characteristic
thermoresponsive behavior of the polymer precursors and also show
remarkable self-healing properties. This novel kind of topological
polymers and their corresponding hydrogels with dynamic and multiple
smart properties may have promising applications as biomaterials.