Preparation of tailor-made multifunctional propenyl ethers by radical copolymerization of 2-(1-propenyl)oxyethyl methacrylate

A new approach for preparation of multifunctional polymers with pendant vin yl ethers was investigated. In particular, 2-(l-propenyl)oxyethyl methacryl ate, a new ambifunctional monomer combining easy radical polymerization and a fast cationically cross-linkable group, was evaluated. Hence, the physic al characteristics of copolymers were controlled by the selection of comono mers. Cross-linking kinetics as a function of temperature and concentration of the acid-generating species were monitored quantitatively by FT-IR spec troscopy. Through the use of DSC measurements, the onset for cationic polym erization was determined. It was demonstrated that both 9-fluorenylideneimi no-p-toluenesulfonate and diphenyliodonium triflate could be used as effici ent thermally initiating cross-linking agents.