Synthesis and characterization of 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl methacrylate and methyl methyacrylate copolymers: Determination of monomer reactivity ratios

A new monomer, 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl methacrylate (DMOPM) has been synthesized from the precursor viz., 3,5-dimethoxy phenol. Copolymerization of DMOPM with methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been carried out in ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) by free radical solution polymerization at 70 +/- 1 degrees C utilizing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. Poly(DMOPM-co-MMA) copolymers were characterized by H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, and the copolymer compositions were evaluated by H-1-NMR spectroscopy. The monomer reactivity ratios were estimated using Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tudos and extended Kelen-Tudos methods. The solubility was tested in various polar and non polar solvents. The molecular weight and polydispersity indices of the copolymers were determined by using gel permeation chromatography. By TGA and DSC analyses, the thermal properties of the polymers have been studied.