Synthesis and characterization of a new methacrylate polymers having pendant esters

In the first step of this study, methyl-4-hydroxy benzoate compound was reacted in the presence of chloroacetyl chloride and potassium carbonate in CH3CN solvent at 70-80°C to give methyl 4-(2-chloroacetoxy)benzoate. This compound was then reacted with sodium methacrylate in acetonitrile solvent at 80°C and the methyl-4-{[(methacryloyloxy)acetyl]oxy}benzoate (MMOAB) monomer was synthesized and characterized by displacement reactions. Homopolymer of MMOAB monomer was then synthesized in a glass bulb under nitrogen atmosphere with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator at a temperature of 65°C in a 1,4-dioxane solvent. Copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with MMOAB monomersby AIBN initiator in the presence of 1,4-dioxane solvent at 65°C were synthesized. The structures of the monomers, homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by using IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR techniques. The monomer structure in copolymer was determined by 1H-NMR analysis. The thermal behaviors of homopolymers and copolymers were determined by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods.