Synthesis and self-catalyzed phase transfer reaction of novel methacrylate polymers

Ethyl alpha-chloromethylacrylate was converted to an ester derivative using 5-chlorovaleric acid in a single step. The homopolymerization of the new monomer (CEMA) and its copolymerization with methyl methacrylate were performed using photoinitiator Irgacure 651. The polymers were reacted with N,N-dimethyldodecylamine to obtain polymers with pendant quaternary ammonium (QA) moieties. The polymers with pendant QA groups were used in self-catalyzed phase transfer reactions with sodium phenoxide and 1-dodecanethiol. The syntheses of the monomer and polymers were followed by FTIR, H-1 NMR, and C-13 NMR. The average polymer molecular weights and polydispersities were determined by size exclusion chromatography. Thermal analysis was carried out using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The copolymer composition, degree of quaternization, and degree of conversion in phase transfer reaction were determined by H-1 NMR. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.