End-group analysis of vinyl polyperoxides by MALDI-TOF-MS, FT-IR techniqueand thermochemical calculations

A first comprehensive investigation has been made to unequivocally analyze the end groups of two vinyl polyperoxide polymers namely, poly(alpha-methyl styrene peroxide), and poly(methylmethacrylate peroxide), using matrix-assi sted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform-infra red techniques and thermochemical calculations. In both the polymers, the end groups formed due to chain transfer reactions were found in large concentrations. Detail mechanism of the formation of end groups h as been presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.