STEREOSPECIFIC POLYMERIZATION OF N,N-DIPHENYLACRYLAMIDE

N,N-Diphenylacrylamide (DPAA) was polymerized with anionic and radical initiators in toluene and tetrahydrofuran. The tacticity of the obtai ned polymers (poly(DPAA)) was unable to be determined directly by NMR spectroscopy. Therefore, poly(DPAA) was carefully converted to poly(ac rylic acid) by solvolysis in a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid a nd methanol (60:40; by volume) at 90 degrees C for 24 hours, followed by methylation with diazomethane. Under suitable conditions, the trans formation was performed without change (racemization) of tacticity of the polymers. Diad tacticity of the derived poly(methyl acrylate) was determined by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. Anionic polymerization using butyl lithium in toluene afforded a polymer rich in meso diad (m=0.95), and that in tetrahydrofuran racemo diad (r=0.66). Radical polymerization i n toluene afforded a polymer with the highest raceme diad content (r=0 .85).