SYNTHESIS AND INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF RANDOM COPOLYMERS OF 4-VINYLPHENOL WITH N-ALKYL METHACRYLATES

A series of random copolymers of 4-vinylphenol with n-alkyl methacryla tes were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of 4-t-butyldime thylsilyloxystyrene and the corresponding alkyl methacrylates, followe d by selective removal of the t-butyldimethylsilyl protective group. C opolymerizations were performed in benzene at 60-degrees-C using azobi sisobutyronitrile as an initiator and reactivity ratios were determine d using the Kelen-Tudos method. Removal of the protective group was ef fected by tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran at ambient te mperature. An infra-red spectroscopic characterization of these copoly mers is reported.