Patent ID: 8618233

Claim:
A polymer comprises, per molecule, an average of two or more groups of formula (I): where Z is selected from the group consisting of one silicon atom, and a spacer group comprising two or more silicon atoms in which E, A, and R may be bonded to the same silicon atom or different silicon atoms in the spacer group; where group A comprises a unit of formula at a terminus; group E comprises a unit of formula at a terminus; whereby when Z is a spacer, groups of formula (I) comprise two or more of units selected from R 2 2 SiO 2/2 , R 2 SiO 3/2 , SiO 4/2 , R 1â€² , R 2 3 SiO 1/2 , (R 2 2 )ESiO 1/2 , (R 2 2 )ASiO 1/2 , (R 2 )(E)(A)SiO 1/2 , (R 2 )ESiO 2/2 , (A)ESiO 2/2 , (R 2 )ASiO 2/2 , ESiO 3/2 , and ASiO 3/2 with the proviso that the spacer has at least one unit containing group A and at least one unit containing group E, where group A and group E may be bonded to the same silicon atom or to different silicon atoms in the spacer; each R is independently selected from the group consisting of R 1 , R 2 , E, A, and a covalent bond; and where the two or more groups of formula (I) are spaced apart from one another in the polymer; and each R 1 is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group; each R 1â€² is independently a divalent hydrocarbon group; each R 2 is independently a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon group that is free of terminal aliphatic unsaturation; each X is independently a monovalent hydrolyzable group; each J is independently a monovalent epoxy functional organic group; each subscript s independently has a value of 1, 2, or 3; and each subscript t independently has a value of 1, 2, or 3; where group A has formula (II) where subscript x has a value of 1 or more; or where group E has formula (III) where subscript y has a value of 1 or more; with the proviso that substantially all of group X and group J are in formula (I).