Copolymers of 4-(4 '-chlorocinnamoyl)phenyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate: Synthesis, characterization and determination of reactivity ratios

4-(4'-Chlorocinnamoyl)phenyl methacrylate (CCPMA) was synthesized and copol ymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in methyl ethyl ketone at 60 degree s C using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator. The copolymers were characterized by UV, IR, H-1-NMR, and C-13-NMR spectroscopic techniques. T he compositions of copolymers were determined by H-1-NMR analysis. The reac tivity ratios of the monomers were determined using the Finemann-Ross (r(1) = 2.18 and r(2) = 0.72) and Kelen-Tudos (r(1) = 2.11 and r(2) = 0.72) meth ods. The molecular weights ((M) over bar(w) and (M) over bar(n)) of the cop olymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Thermogravimetric analysis of the copolymers reveal that the thermal stability of the copoly mers decreases with an increase in the mol fraction of MMA in the copolymer s. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were found to increase w ith an increase in the mol fraction of CCPMA in the copolymers. The photo r eactivities of the copolymers were investigated as thin films. (C) 2000 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.