Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of 3-(1-cyclohexyl)azetidinyl methacrylate monomer and its homopolymer

3-(1-Cyclohexyl)azetidiniyl methacrylate (CyAMA), a new methacrylate monome r, was synthesized by reaction of the sodium salt of 1-cyclohexylazetidin-3 -ol with methacryloyl chloride. The monomer was polymerized at 60 degrees C in 1,4-dioxane solution using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an ini tiator. CyAMA and poly(CyAMA) were characterized by FTIR and H-1 and (CNMR) -C-13 spectroscopy. The activation energy of the initiation step of the pol ymerization was estimated from initial rates, and the number average molecu lar weight of the homopolymer was determined by gel permeation chromatograp hy (GPC). The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the monomer and homop olymer were investigated on various bacteria and fungi. The thermal stabili ty of poly(CyAMA) was investigated by TGA, and its glass transition tempera ture was determined by DSC as 93 degrees C. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical In dustry.