GRAFT-COPOLYMERS OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) BACKBONE AND POLY(PROPYLENE OXIDE-B-ETHYLENE OXIDE) BRANCHES - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

Two mono-functional macromonomers of poly (propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) were synthesized by reaction with methacryloyl chloride. The macromonomers have the same molecular weight and ratio of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide sequences. The reactive methacrylate group can be linked to the ethylene oxide (BuPPOPEO) or to the propylene oxide (BuPEOPPO). These macromonomers showed self-gelling in one week even at low temperature and under a dry atmosphere. Graft copolymers were obtained by reaction of these macromonomers with methyl methacrylate upon free-radical initiation and they were characterized by GPC, VPO, IR and 1H NMR spectra. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.