FACILE SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION OF ETHER-SUBSTITUTED METHACRYLATES

New difunctional methacrylate monomers containing beta heteroatoms hav e been synthesized from alpha-hydroxymethylacrylate esters or alpha-ch loromethylacryloyl chloride. These monomers are more reactive than the ir alkane counterparts (e.g., ethacrylates), giving polymers with mole cular weights comparable to poly(itaconate)s. The simple synthetic app roach described allows a wide range of difunctionalized acrylate monom ers to be produced. Variations in both ester and ether substituents we re explored for ease of synthesis and polymerization.