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Radical Polymerization of N -(Ethoxycarbonylphenyl) Maleimidesand Characterization of the Polymers

1992; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 29; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/10601329208054121

1520-5738

Akikazu Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Oki, Takayuki Otsu,

biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties

Abstract Three N-phenylmaleimides bearing an ethoxycarbonyl group, i.e., N-(o-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)maleimide (OPMI), N-(m-ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl)maleimide (MPMI), and N-(p-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)maleimide (PPMI), were prepared and polymerized with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) or dimethyl 2,2′-azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) as a radical initiator in benzene at 60°C. The polymer yield depended drastically on the position of the ethoxycarbonyl group on the N-phenyl ring in the following order: PPMI ≥ MPMI > OPMI, agreeing with the order of the steric hindrance in propagation. It was found that polymerization with MAIB gave a higher polymer yield than that with AIBN, although both the initiators used have similar decomposition rates. Some characterizations of the resulting polymers were carried out. These substituted polymaleimides showed excellent thermal stability, i.e., high glass transition temperatures and decomposition temperatures, as did poly(N-phenylmaleimide). The solubility of the polymers depended on the position of the ethoxycarbonyl group.