Phenacyl methacrylate and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone copolymers: Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity ratios

The free radical copolymerization of phenacyl methacrylate (PAMA) and N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (N-Vp) was carried out using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), in 1,4-dioxane solution at 70 degrees C. The polymers were characterized by FT-IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR spectroscopic methods. Solubility parameters, inherent viscosities, average molecular weight and densities of polymers were determined. Thermal properties of the homo- and copoly-mers were also studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differantial scanning calorimetry. The percentage composition of the copolymers were established by microelemental analysis. The copolymerization reactivity ratios were computed using the Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods. The experimental data indicate random comonomer incorporation with a slightly alternating tendency.