Multifunctional polymers

1. A terpolymer synthesized from: (A) a first repeating unit A, (B) a second repeating unit B comprising a hydrophobic moiety, and (C) a third repeating unit C, and

wherein:

the weight-average molecular weight of the terpolymer is less than 10,000 Da; and

the terpolymer is selected from the group consisting of:

2. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein the terpolymer is synthesized by radical polymerization.

3. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein a ranges from about 5% to about 80%, b ranges from about 5% to about 60%, and c ranges from about 5% to about 80% (all molar ratios).

4. The terpolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the terpolymer exhibits antimicrobial activity against a microbe selected from the group consisting of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. niger, C. albicans , and mixtures thereof.

5. A composition comprising a terpolymer synthesized from: (A) a first repeating unit A, (B) a second repeating unit B comprising at least one hydrophobic moiety, and (C) a third repeating unit C, and

wherein:

the weight-average molecular weight of the terpolymer is less than 10,000 Da: and

the terpolymer is selected from the group consisting of:

 and combinations thereof.

6. The composition according to claim 5 that is a nutrition, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cleaning, coating, paint, biocide, construction, energy, industrial, oilfield, personal care, household, performance, agricultural, pesticide, veterinary, fuel, lubricant, adhesive, electronic, textile, ink, or membrane composition.

7. The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the personal care composition is a skin lotion, skin creme, skin ointment, skin salve, anti-aging creme, moisturizer, deodorant, tanning agent, sun block, sunscreen, foundation, concealer, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, rouge, finishing powder, lipstick, lip gloss, nail polish, make-up remover, nail polish remover, shampoo, rinse-off conditioner, leave-on conditioner, hair styling gel, hair mousse, hair spray, styling aide, hair color, or hair color remover.

8. The composition according to claim 5 , wherein the terpolymer exhibits antimicrobial activity against a microbe selected from the group consisting of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. niger, C. albicans , and mixtures thereof.

9. A method of providing antimicrobial activity, the method comprising the step: contacting a composition with at least one terpolymer comprising: (A) a first repeating unit A, (B) a second repeating unit B comprising a hydrophobic moiety, and (C) a third repeating unit C, and

wherein:

the weight average molecular weight of the terpolymer is less than 10,000 Da; and

the terpolymer is selected from the group consisting of:

 and combinations thereof.

10. The composition according to claim 9 , wherein the terpolymer exhibits antimicrobial activity against a microbe selected from the group consisting of S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. niger, C. albicans , and mixtures thereof.

11. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein the terpolymer is a random, block, or alternating polymer.

12. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein the terpolymer is:

13. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein the terpolymer is:

14. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein the terpolymer is:

15. The terpolymer according to claim 1 wherein a ranges from 12% to 64%, b ranges from 20% to 40%, and c ranges from 12% to 64% (all molar ratios).

16. The terpolymer according to claim 14 wherein a ranges from 12% to 64%, b ranges from 20% to 40%, and c ranges from 12% to 64% (all molar ratios).

17. The terpolymer according to claim 12 wherein a ranges from 12% to 64%, b ranges from 20% to 40%, and c ranges from 12% to 64% (all molar ratios).

18. The terpolymer according to claim 13 wherein a ranges from 30% to 40%, b ranges from 20% to 40%, and c ranges from 30% to 40% (all molar ratios).