Methacrylate polymers having pendant chalcone moieties: monomer reactivity ratios, thermal and optical properties

Abstract

A new methacrylate copolymer that includes chalcone as a side group, poly(4-methacryloyloxyphenyl-4'-methoxystyryl ketone-co-styrene) was synthesized by free radical copolymerization. FTIR and H-1 NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the homopolymers and copolymers. The copolymerizations were carried out to high conversions. Copolymer compositions were established by H-1 NMR spectra analysis. The monomer reactivity ratios for copolymer system were determined by the linearized Kelen Tikkis, and Extended Kelen Tildos methods and a non-linear least squares method. The molecular weights and polydispersity index of copolymers were measured by using the gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effect of copolymer compositions on their thermal behavior were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The optical properties of the resulting copolymer were also investigated.