COPOLYMERS OF 3,5-DIMETHYLPHENYL METHACRYLATE AND METHYLMETHACRYLATE: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND DETERMINATION OF REACTIVITY RATIOS

ABSTRACT

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. Taking six different feed compositions of 3,5-dimethylphenyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, the copolymers were synthesized in EMK solution at 70±1°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The solubilities of the polymers were tested in various polar and nonpolar solvents. The elemental analysis was determined by Perkin-Elmer C-H analyzer. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were determined by differential scanning calorimeter. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers were performed in air. Copolymer compositions were determined using ¹H-NMR spectra. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by the application of conventional linearization methods such as Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tüdös, and extended Kelen-Tüdös, as well as by a nonlinear “error-in-variables” method using a computer program, RREVM.

Keywords:

• 3,5-Dimethylphenyl methacrylate
• Copolymerization
• Reactivity ratios
• ¹H-NMR spectra
• ¹³C-NMR spectra
• Methyl methacrylate
• Thermal studies

Acknowledgments