In this paper the interactions of poly(monoethyl itaconate) with poly(
2-vinylpyridine) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) have been studied. Polymer
blends or polycomplexes can be obtained, depending on the solvent empl
oyed. The stoichiometry found for the polycomplexes obtained was 2:1 o
f monoethyl itaconate:pyridine repeat units. Polymer complexes do not
show a standard glass transition temperature. On the contrary, blends
involving poly(monoethyl itaconate) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) show a b
road glass transition. The thermal degradation behaviours of complexes
and blends do not differ substantially from those of the pure compone
nts. Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy was used to study the hy
drogen-bonding interactions in complexes and blends.