Copolymerization of 4-Benzyloxycarbonylphenyl Acrylate with Methyl Methacrylate: Synthesis, Characterization, and Determination of Reactivity Ratios

Abstract

The new acrylic monomer 4-benzyloxycarbonyl phenyl acrylate (BCPA) was synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in ethyl methyl ketone at 70±1°C using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The compositions of the copolymers were determined by ¹H-NMR analysis. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined using the Fineman–Ross ( r₁=0.6085 and r₂=1.7251), Kelen–Tüdös ( r₁=0.6085 and r₂=1.7276), Ext. Kelen–Tüdös ( r₁=0.6083 and r₂=1.7963) and nonlinear error-in-variables model methods ( r₁=0.6627 and r₂=1.7858). The solubilities of the polymers were tested in various polar and non-polar solvents. The elemental analysis was determined by a Perkin–Elmer C–H analyzer. The molecular weights ( M¯ _w and M¯ _n) of the copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers reveals that the thermal stability of the copolymers decreases with an increase in the mole fraction of MMA in the copolymers. Glass transition temperature of the copolymers was found to increase with an increase in the mole fraction of BCPA in the copolymers.

Keywords:

• 4-Benzyloxycarbonylphenyl acrylate
• Copolymerization
• Reactivity ratios
• Methyl methacrylate
• ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectra
• Thermal studies

Acknowledgments

P.S. Vijayanand is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR), New Delhi, India, for a Senior Research Fellowship.