Synthesis and properties of graft copolymer derived from polyurethane and dihydroxyacrylate of bisphenol A

In this investigation, polyurethane was grafted with dihydroxyacrylate of b isphenol A, in basic medium, at 80 degreesC. The grafting process was studi ed using an acrylate-urethane model compound. The grafting degree of polyur ethane with dihydroxyacrylate of bisphenol A was 9% by weight. An alkylatio n mechanism of the synthesis of the graft copolymer was suggested. The addi tion of the acrylic double bond to the NH-urethane structures takes place i n the first stage, and the reaction can be continued as a transposition in the ortho position of the aromatic ring in the second stage. The synthesize d graft copolymer was crosslinked at 140 degreesC in the presence of pyridi ne. The crosslinked copolymer shows high mechanical properties as compared to polyurethane, as well as an improvement of polyurethane's thermal stabil ity. The solubility parameter of the synthesized crosslinked copolymer was estimated to have a value of 11.57 (cal/mol)(1/2). (C) 2001 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.