COPOLYMERS OF 4-NITROPHENYL ACRYLATE WITH STYRENE - SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND MONOMER REACTIVITY RATIOS

4-Nitrophenyl acrylate (NPA) was prepared and polymerized in methyl et hyl ketone using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Copolymers of NPA with styrene were also prepared. The homopolymer and copolymers were chara cterized by IR, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR; the copolymer compositions were determined by H-1-NMR analysis. The monomer reactivity ratios were eva luated by the application of the Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods. The molecular weights of the polymers were determined by gel permeati on chromatography. Thermogravimetric analyses of the polymers were per formed in air.