Atom transfer radical polymerization, free radical polimerization and thermal behaviour of poly(3-methoxybenzyl methylacrylate)

In this study firstly, the synthesis of 3-methoxybenzyl methylacrylate (3-MeBMA) and 4-(chloromethyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl chloroacetate was carried out. Then, poly(3-methoxybenzyl methylacrylate) lacton ended was synthesized by ATRP method using 3-MeBMA monomer. On the other hand, the same monomer was polymerized by radical polymerization method too. In this context, P(3-MeBMA) was prepared by both ATRP and free radical polymerization methods and its lacton ended group?s effect on polymer degradation was studied. The average molecular weights and polydispersities were measured by GPC technique. Finally, thermal degradation mechanism of polymer was discussed. Product determination studies were carried out and degradation mechanisms on degradation of both polymers were proposed. FT-IR, GC-MS, 1H and 13C-NMR techniques were used for structure characterization of materials. The thermal behaviors of polymer were relatively investigated by DSC and TGA, and the results were compared with each other.