METHYL POLYMETHACRYLATE FUNCTIONALIZED WI TH PHOSPHONATED GROUPS

In order to obtain polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) functionalized with phosphonated groups, we have studied its telomerization either with di ethylphosphite HP(O)(OCH2CH3)(2) or with thiols. With diethylphosphite , no chain lengths limitation was observed. On the other hand, with ju diciously chosen thiols and according to two different synthetic route s, we obtained low molecular mass telomers with a phosphonated end. We first carried out the telomerization of MMA with 2-mercaptoethanol, t hen we performed the esterification of the obtained telomers by a comp ound bearing both a carboxylic acid and a phosphonated end group (''ph osphonated acid''). Concurrently, we also performed the telomerization of MMA with a phosphonated end thiol. The average polymerization degr ees are calculated by various methods (SEC, H-1 NMR, sulfur analysis) and the results are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.