Copolymers of Styrene and Methyl alpha -(Hydroxymethyl)Acrylate: Reactivity Ratios, Physical Behavior, and Spectral Properties

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 537 - 546
• Main Authors: Kress, A O, Mathias, L J, Cei, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-02-1989
• ISSN: 0024-9297
• DOI: 10.1021/ma00192a005

Compositions of copolymers prepared in low conversion by bulk polymerization of methyl alpha -(hydroxymethyl)acrylate (MHMA) and styrene were determined by UV and exp 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Copolymers were further characterized by IR, exp 13 C NMR, DSC, and TGA. Reactivity ratios for both MHMA and styrene, determined by the methods of Kelen--Tudos and Tidwell--Mortimer, were found to be approx 0.33. Joint confidence limits determined for the various methods indicate that the more precise estimates are those of Kelen--Tudos and Tidwell--Mortimer, even though the monomer reactivity ratios determined by the methods of Fineman--Ross, Joshi--Joshi, and YBR were of comparable value. Physical properties were intermediate between those of homopolymers, although glass transitions were found to be sensitive to MHMA composition and thermal history. An intramolecular cyclization with concurrent loss of methanol involving adjacent or near-neighbor MHMA units is proposed to account for the thermal behavior. Copolymers with high MHMA composition demonstrate reduced solubility in chloroform. 30 ref.--AA