Studies on copolymers of 2-(N-phthalimido)ethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate

N-(2-Hydroxyethyl) phthalimide (NHEP) was prepared by heating phthalic anhy dride dissolved in dimethyl formamide (DMF) with ethanolamine. Methacryloyl chloride was prepared by a reported method. The monomer, 2-(N-phthalimido) ethyl methacrylate was synthesised by reacting N-(2-hydroxyethyl) phthalimi de dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone with methacryloyl chloride. Copolymers of 2-(N-phthalimido)ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate were synthes ised in ethyl methyl ketone solution using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 65 degrees C. The polymers were characterised by IR and H-1-NMR spectra l studies and by thermal analysis. The molecular weights ((M) over bar(w) a nd (M) over bar(n)) and polydispersity index of the polymers were determine d by gel permeation chromatography. The solubility and intrinsic viscosity of the homo and copolymers were also discussed. The copolymer compositions were determined by H-1-NMR analysis. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined by the application of Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.