New substituted polymethylenes by free radical polymerization of bulky fumarates and their properties

The free radical polymerization of fumarates (DRFs) bearing sterically crow ded eater groups was investigated. Various new monomers were synthesized an d their polymerization behaviour was looked into. In bulk polymerizations a t 60 degrees C initiated with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), their pol ymerization reactivity depends sensitively on the structure of both alkyl e ster groups. Besides the polymerization of simple alkyl fumarates, the exte nsion to substituents bearing functional groups was explored. Functional gr oups have been found to be barely tolerated, successful polymerization requ iring the use of particular initiators. The polymers were characterized by H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR spectroscopies, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD ), and some thermal properties were examined. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.