Synthesis and characterization of benzodioxinone-bearing methacrylate-based random copolymer via atom transfer radical polymerization

Abstract

Methacrylate-benzodioxinone (BDMA) as a monomer was firstly synthesized and then copolymerized with methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in the presence of CuCl/pentamethyldiethylene triamine (PMDETA) catalytic system using ethyl 2-bromopropionate (EtBrP) as an initiator. Successful formation of the block copolymer was also confirmed in detail by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) appropriately. Secondly, photochemical acylation of obtained copolymer through hydroxyl and benzodioxinone groups led to the release of benzophenone compound and ester-linkage on the polymer backbone. The formation of ester-linkage increases the glass transition temperature and the thermal stability of the obtained copolymer.