Patent ID: 6984700

Claim:
A polymer comprising urethane linkages and one or more silicon-containing groups, wherein the polymer is derived from a compound of the formula: Y—R 1 —Si(R 2 ) 2 -[-Z-Si(R 2 ) 2 —] n —R 1 —Y wherein: each Y is independently OH or NR 4 H; n=2 or more; each R 1 is independently a straight chain or branched alkylene group optionally including heteroatoms; each R 2 is independently a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or combinations thereof, optionally including heteroatoms; Z is oxygen or R 3 , wherein each R 3 is independently a straight chain alkylene group, a phenylene group, or a straight chain or branched alkyl substituted phenylene group, wherein each R 3 optionally includes heteroatoms; and each R 4 is independently H or a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or combinations thereof; with the proviso that at least one of the Z groups is oxygen and at least one of the Z groups is R 3 ; and with the proviso that R 1 does not include urethane groups when Y is OH; and further with the proviso that the polymer is substantially free of ester linkages.