COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE WITH LAURYL METHACRYLATE USING GROUP-TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION

The syntheses of random and block copolymers (using sequential monomer addition) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and lauryl methacrylate (LIVIA ) have been investigated by group transfer polymerization (GTP) over a wide composition range using tetrabutylammonium bibenzoate (TBABB) as catalyst and 1-methoxy-1-(trimethylsiloxy)-2-methyl-1-propene (MTS) a s initiator in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature. The absolute molecular weight of the copolymers were determined by SEC-MALLS. The observed molecular weights were generally higher than the calculated m olecular weights. However, the molecular weight distributions were ver y narrow (1.02-1.1). Use of trimethylsilyl benzoate as a ''livingness enhancer'' improved the livingness of the first block (PLMA) and block copolymers with no detectable contamination of homopolymer. Statistic al copolymers of MMA and LMA were prepared, and the reactivity ratios of the two monomers under the defined conditions were determined. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.