Thermal and spectral analysis of copolymers with sulphur groups

The paper presents the synthesis, structure and polymerization of S-phenyl 2-methylprop-2-enethioate (PSM). This compound was prepared in the reaction of thiophenol with methacryloyl chloride. The obtained PSM was purified on the chromatographic column. Chemical structure of the monomer was confirmed by spectroscopic methods (ATR-FTIR, GC-MS, H-1 and C-13 NMR). Next bulk polymerization of PSM with styrene (St) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) was performed. In this way, linear copolymers were obtained. The number and mass average molar mass of the obtained copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Additionally, crosslinked copolymers of the commercial monomer S,S'-thiodi-4,1-phenylene bis(thiomethacrylate) (DMSPS) under the same conditions were synthesized. The influence of thiol monomers on the physico-chemical properties of the obtained copolymers was determined. Thermal properties of the synthesized materials were investigated by means of DSC and TG/DTG.