SPECTRAL STUDIES ON COPOLYMERS OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE AND COPPER ACRYLATE

Copper-coordinated copolymers were prepared by bulk copolymerization o f methyl methacrylate with copper acrylate. A spectral-structural corr elation was investigated for the polymers. Spectral changes on the cop per content is increased from 2 to 10.7 wt% revealing a tetrahedrally distorted environment around the copper centre. Calculation of the spl itting parameters, DELTA0, rho and delta, indicates a varying degree o f distortion from octahedral geometry. For higher copper contents, cha nges in the values of 10 Dq and the splitting parameters suggest an in creasing degree of covalency with increasing association of the carbon yl group in the cross-linked chains of the copolymer. The radial disto rtion parameters D(s) and D(t) have been determined. Variations in D(t ) values indicate changes in the field strength of the CO and COO- lig ands dependent upon the copper content.