RADICAL POLYMERIZATION OF NEW FUNCTIONAL MONOMERS - MONOMETHACRYLOYL AND DIMETHACRYLOYL ISOCYANATE CONTAINING BISPHENOL-A AND ITS DERIVATIVES

New functional monomers mono- and dimethacryloyl isocyanate containing bisphenol-A were prepared on reaction of methacryloyl isocyanate (MAI ) with bisphenol-A (BPA) and its derivatives at low temperature. The m onomers thus obtained were characterized with IR, UV, and H-1- and C-1 3-NMR spectra. Radical polymerization of mono- and dimethacryloyl isoc yanate containing bisphenol-h and its derivatives was studied in terms of the rate of polymerization, solvent effect, copolymerization, ther mal properties, and kinetic measurements of photocrosslinking. Polar s olvents such as DMSO and NMP were found to slow the polymerization. Co polymerization of BPA-MAI (M(1)) with MMA (M(2)) in DMF was studied at 90 degrees C. The monomer reactivity ratio was calculated to be r(1) = 0.17 and r(2) = 1.34 according to the method of Fineman-Ross. Functi onal polymers containing the allyl group were successfully modified an d photocrosslinked on irradiation in the presence of benzoin isopropyl ether. The photocrosslinking process follows second-order kinetics. ( C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.