Synthesis of N‐Acryl‐N,N′‐di‐tert‐Butylurea and Copolymerization with Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate

Abstract

Synthesis and free‐radical initiated copolymerization of N‐acryl‐N,N′‐di‐tert‐butylurea (A‐DitBuU) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) are described. The A‐DitBuU monomer was prepared by the condensation of acrylic acid to the N,N′‐di‐tert‐butylcarbodiimide (DitBuC) at room temperature. Copolymers of A‐DitBuU with EDMA of different monomer to monomer ratios in the feed were prepared in the presence of dibenzoyl peroxide (Bz₂O₂) in butanone at 70°C for 48 h up to a high conversion. The obtained crosslinked copolymers are insoluble in organic solvents. Copolymers thermal decomposition resulted in separation of tert‐butylisocyanate (C₄H₉NCO) in the temperature range between 180 and 280°C and by the formation of the thermally stable molecularly imprinted copolymers of N‐acryl‐N‐terc‐butylamide (A‐tBuA) with EDMA.

Keywords:

• N‐acryl‐N,N′‐di‐tert‐butylurea
• poly(N‐acryl‐N,N′‐di‐tert‐butylurea‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)
• thermal degradation
• tert‐butylisocyanate
• poly(N‐acryl‐N‐terc‐butylamide‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)

Acknowledgement

The Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia supported this work.