Copolymerization of 2-(N-phthalimido)ethyl methacrylate with glycidyl methacrylate: Synthesis, characterization, and monomer reactivity ratios

A phthalimido group containing methacrylate based monomer 2-(N-phthalimido) ethyl methacrylate (NPEMA) was synthesized by reacting 2-(N-phthalimido)eth anol (NPE) with methacryloyl chloride. NPE was prepared by reacting phthali c anhydride dissolved in dimethyl formamide (DMF) with ethanolamine.. Homop olymer of NPEMA and copolymers of NPEMA and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) hav ing various feed compositions were synthesized in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) solution using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70 +/- 1 degreesC. The polymers were characterized bg IR and H-1-NMR spectral studies. The composi tion of the copolymers was also determined by H-1-NMR analysis. The reactiv ity ratios of the monomers were determined by the application of Fineman-Ro ss and Kelen-Tudos methods. The molecular weights ((M) over bar (w)) and (M ) over bar (n)) and polydispersity index of the polymers were determined us ing gel permeation chromatography. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polyme rs was carried out in air and their thermal stability was studied. The solu bility and intrinsic viscosity of the homo- and copolymers were also studie d. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 96-103. 2001.