THE EFFECT OF POLYMERIC POROGEN ON THE PROPERTIES OF MACROPOROUS POLY(GLYCIDYL METHACRYLATE-CO-ETHYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE)

Macroporous copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate with ethylene dimethac rylate [poly(GMA-co-EDMA)] were prepared using poly(methyl methacrylat e) and polystyrene of various molecular weights as a porogen, either p ure or in toluene solution. The polymeric porogen remains partly incor porated in the polymer beads. The effect of the polymeric porogen on t he shape and size of the particles, porous structure and particle morp hology has been studied. The fraction of the oxirane groups accessible to chemical reaction with variously bulky substrates was determined i n the particles. Accessibility of the oxirane groups was characterized by the e.p.r. spin-label technique. Quaternary ammonium derivatives o f poly(GMA-co-EDMA) exhibited high catalytic activity in nucleophilic substitution.