A novel amphiphilic graft copolymer is described. A process to make amphiphilic graft copolymers via grafting either poly(ethylene oxide) or polylactide side chains onto an EVA platform using oxo-anion ring-opening polymerization chemistry is also described. Polyethylene or polypropylene based graft copolymers are prepared starting from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) or maleic anhydride grafted isotactic polypropylene respectively. The amphiphilic character will result from the incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) side-chains. Various applications of the novel amphiphilic graft copolymer are also described including, but not limited to, thermoplastic elastomer, films, fibers, fabrics, gels, breathable packaging materials, additive for biodegradable system, surfactant, antistatic additives, polymer compatibilizers, phase transfer catalysts, solid polymer electrolytes, biocompatible polymers, or incorporation into the materials listed above.

A polyether dendrimer of formula (I),

##STR00001##

wherein the symbols and indices have the following meanings:
each Y is independently [R.sup.1(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.pO];
each Z is independently [R.sup.2(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.q(OCH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2).sub.rO];
each R.sup.1 is independently H, CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2-C.sub.4-alkyl;
each R.sup.2 is independently linear or branched C.sub.8-C.sub.22-alkyl;
X is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl;
m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;
n, o are rational positive numbers>0, with the proviso that the sum of n and o is 2.sup.m;
p is a natural number from 5 to 50;
q is a natural number from 1 to 50;
r is 0 or is a natural number from 1 to 30, with the proviso that 5q+r50, and
denotes the bonding of the respective group to the dendron scaffold,
is useful for solubilizing sparingly-water soluble active ingredients, in particular pesticides.

A polymer (A) having, at one terminal moiety thereof, a terminal structure having two or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds. A reactive-silicon-group-containing polymer (B) having, at one terminal moiety thereof, a terminal structure having two or more reactive silicon groups.

A multi-arm polyethylene glycol (I) having different kinds of reactive groups and the uses thereof are disclosed, which is formed by polymerizing ethylene oxide with oligo-pentaerythritol as an initiator, wherein, PEG is same or different and is (CH2CH2O)m-, the average value of m is an integer of 2-250; l is an integer of 1 or more. The method for producing the multi-arm polyethylene glycol having different kinds of reactive groups, the multi-arm polyethylene glycol active derivatives comprising linking groups X attached to PEG and terminal reactive groups F attached to X, the gels formed by the multi-arm polyethylene glycol active derivatives, the drug conjugates formed by the multi-arm polyethylene glycol active derivatives and drug molecules, and the uses thereof in preparing drugs are also disclosed. ##STR00001##

Polyethers are prepared by polymerizing an alkylene oxide in the presence of a starter, an aluminum compound that has at least one hydrocarbyl substituent, and a phosphorus-nitrogen base. The phosphorus-nitrogen base is present in only a small molar ratio relative to the amount of starter. The presence of such small amounts of phosphorus-nitrogen base greatly increases the catalytic activity of the system, compared to the case in which the aluminum compound is used by itself. The product polyethers have low amounts of unsaturated polyether impurities and little or no unwanted high molecular weight fraction. Polymers of propylene oxide have very low proportions of primary hydroxyl groups.