SYNTHESIS AND POLYMERIZATION STUDIES OF N-CYANOMETHANIMINE MONOMERS

New imine monomers containing C-aryl and N-cyano substituents were syn thesized and polymerized by both radical and anionic initiation. Homop olymerization yielded low molecular weight polymers (M-n < 2100). High er yields were obtained with anionic initiation rather than radical in itiation. Radical initiated copolymerization with p-methoxystyrene gav e low yields of low molecular weight copolymers. Radical initiated cop olymerization with methyl acrylate gave copolymers of 15,000-32,000 mo lecular weight in moderate yields, but with rather low incorporation o f the imine monomer. The C-substituent affected the anionic and free r adical reactivity similarly. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.