Amphiphilic poly(ethyleneimine) based on long-chain alkyl bromides

Amphiphilic poly(ethyleneimine)s prepared by modification with long-chain alkyl halides are described. The amphiphilic range of the polymers can be influenced directly by the degree of alkylation, the n-alkyl chain length and the molecular weight of the poly(ethyleneimine) and indirectly by using additives. The wide range of stabilization properties of the alkylated poly(ethyleneimine)s was demonstrated by microemulsion polymerization of styrene and preparing gold colloids.