A series of aryl-capped poly(lactide) s (PLAs) were synthesized by living ring-opening polymerization with a chain transfer agent (also referred to as immortal polymerization, iROP) using a previously reported dinuclear indium catalyst, [(NNO)InCl](2)(mu-Cl)(mu-OEt) (A). For understanding the extent and strength of association caused by the arylated chain ends, end-functionalized PLAs were analysed using thermal, rheological, and mechanical techniques. We show that the end-group has a greater effect on the properties of low molecular weight PLAs due to the larger number density of the aryl end groups; significant interactions can be induced under oscillatory shear conditions in the low frequency flow regime (terminal zone). The effects of associations on the extensional properties are also discussed. (C) 2017 The Society of Rheology.