Synthesis and characterization of copolymers of 2-N-phthalimido2-methyl propyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate and determination of copolymer reactivity ratios

2-N-Phthalimido-2-methyl propan-1-ol was prepared by refluxing phthalic anh ydride dissolved in dimethyl formamide with 2-amino-2-methyl propan-1-ol. T he monomer, 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propyl methacrylate was synthesized by reacting 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propan-1-ol dissolved in ethyl acetate w ith methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. Free radical po lymerization technique was used to synthesize the homo and copolymers of di fferent feed composition of 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propyl methacrylate an d methylmethac-rylate in ethyl acetate solution using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator at 70 degrees C. The IR and H-1-NMR spectroscopic t echniques were used for the characterization of the polymers. The compositi on of the copolymers were determined by H-1-NMR analysis. The reactivity ra tios of the co-monomers were evaluated according to Fineman-Ross and Kelen- Tudos methods. Thermal analysis of the polymers were carried out using TGA- DTG method. Gel permeation chromatography was used for determining the mole cular weights (M-w and M-n) and polydispersity index of the polymers. The s olubility and intrinsic viscosity of the homopolymer and copolymers were de termined.