SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 2 NEW CYCLOBUTYL AND ARYL HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMERS AND THEIR POLYMERS

Two new hydroxyethyl methacrylates having aryl and cyclobutane rings w ere synthesized by addition to 1-(epoxyethyl)-3-aryl-3-methylcyclobuta ne to methacrylic acid. The monomers prepared are 2-(3-methyl-3-phenyl cyclobutyl)-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PCHEMA) and 2-(3-methyl-3-mes itylcyclobutyl)-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (MCHEMA). Both monomers we re polymerized at 60 degrees C in 1,4-dioxane solution using benzoyl p eroxide as initiator. Poly(PCHEMA) and poly(MCHEMA) and their monomers were characterized by FT-IR and H-1- and C-13-NMR techniques. Weight average molecular weights of the polymers were determined for poly(PCH ELMA) poly(MCHEMA) by gel permation chromatography. Thermal stabilitie s of the polymers were essentially the same. Glass transition temperat ures for poly(PCHEMA) and poly(MCHEMA) were determined as 105 and 137 degrees C, respectively. No changes of the polymers by irradiation wit h UV light at 254 nm were observed. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.