Highly cross-linked azlactone functional supports of tailorable-polarity

Highly cross-linked azlactone functional supports were prepared by dispersion polymerization of 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone (VDM), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA). The supports were recovered in high yield and possessed high surface areas. Individual particles, which ranged from 10 to 300 mu m in diameter, were irregularly shaped and comprised of filamentous strands. Support polarity was tailored through increases in the HEMA level in the polymer formulations and was quantified by a lipophilicity index derived from solvent partition data collected on the constituent monomers. Support reactivity, as determined by azlactone aminolysis and measured by IR, was found to increase linearly with increasing support polarity. This effect was shown to be independent of the support cross-link density.