Hyperbranched macromolecule from epoxide nucleus and hydroxy-functional carboxylic acid chain extenders

A hyperbranched macromolecule of the polyester type comprising a central nucleus and at least one generation of a branching chain extender, said macromolecule comprising

• a) a monomeric or polymeric nucleus selected from the group consisting of
• i) an epoxide compound having at least one reactive epoxide group and
• ii) a reaction product of an epoxide compound, which reaction product has at least one reactive epoxide group;
• b) at least one generation comprising a branching monomeric or polymeric chain extender having at least three reactive sites, of which reactive sites
• i) at least one is a hydroxyl group or a hydroxyalkyl substituted hydroxyl group and at least one is a carboxyl group or
• ii) at least one is a hydroxyl group or a hydroxyalkyl substituted hydroxyl group and at least one is a terminal epoxide group;
• and, optionally,
• c) at least one generation comprising a spacing monomeric or polymeric chain extender having two reactive sites, one being a hydroxyl group or a hydroxyalkyl substituted hydroxyl group and one being a carboxyl group or terminal epoxide group;
• said macromolecule optionally terminated by at least one chain stopper, by epoxide or allyl functionalization, or by a combination of at least one chain stopper and epoxide or allyl functionalization.