Synthesis, polymerization, and dispersion copolymerization of poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers carrying methacryloyloxyalkyl end groups

Poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers carrying methoxy group on the one (alpha-) end and methacryloyloxyhexyl or methacryloyloxydecyl group on the other (omega-) end were prepared, homopolymerized in water, and dispersion-copolymerized with styrene or methyl methacrylate in a methanol-water mixture. They were found to polymerize more rapidly and to produce stable polystyrene dispersions more effectively, as compared to the corresponding macromonomers carrying either alpha-methoxy and or alpha-dodecyloxy and omega-methacryloyloxy end groups. Thus, the amphiphilic constitution of the macromonomers such that favors the polymerizing methacrylate end groups to locally concentrate into the micelle core or to the particle surface while the poly(ethylene oxide) chains extending to the medium appears to be most important in enhancing their polymerizability and effectiveness as reactive steric stabilizers; On the other hand, stable poly(methyl methacrylate) particles with a number of craters or pleats on the surface were produced with a PEO macromonomer with alpha-methoxy and omega-methacryloyloxy end groups.