Synthesis and characterization of homopolymer of 3,5-dimethylphenyl methacrylate and its copolymers with glycidyl methacrylate

The acrylic monomer, 3,5-dimethylphenyl methacrylate was synthesized by reacting 3,5-dimethylphenol dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. The homopolymer and various copolymers with glycidyl methacrylate were synthesized using free radical polymerization in EMK solution at 70 +/- 1 degreesC using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR techniques. The molecular weights ((M) over bar (n) and (M) over bar (w)) and polydispersity indices were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis were performed in air. The solubilities of the polymers were tested in various polar and non-polar solvents. Copolymer compositions were determined using H-1-NMR spectra. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by application of conventional linearisation methods such as Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tildos and extended Kelen-Tudos. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.