Peroxide initiated maleic anhydride grafting: Structural studies on an ester-containing copolymer and related substrates

Maleic anhydride (MAn) was grafted onto the low molecular weight esters met hyl decanoate (MD) and methyl 8-ethylhexanoate (MEH) using the free-radical initiators Lupersol-101 and -130; the esters were used as model compounds for the copolymer poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate). The grafted products i n both cases were isolated from the unreacted ester and were subjected to e xtensive analysis using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Analy sis of the grafted material indicated the presence of one or more succinic anhydride (SAn) residues grafted to the ester. in the case of the multiply grafted material it has been established conclusively by C-13-NMR using 2,3 -C-13(2) labeled MAn that the multiple grafts exist as single units. A limi ted number of grafting experiments was performed on the copolymer in the me lt and the graft-modified copolymer was characterized spectroscopically. Si ngle graft units were observed. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.