Copolymerization of Sodium 10-Undecenoate with Sodium 3-Allyloxypropionate

Abstract

The copolymerization of sodium 10-undecenoate (UANa) with sodium 3-alloyoxypropionate (APNa) was examined under irradiation with UV light. The copolymerization rate was lower than homopolymerization rates of UANa and APNa. Each copolymer showed only one peak in the gel permeation chromatogram, which suggests that copolymerization really occurs, although the number-average degree of polymerization (DPn) of the copolymers differed depending on composition of monomer feed in the copolymerization system. DPn of the copolymer increased from 12 to 30 with APNa in the monomer feed. Reactivity ratios of the monomers were rUANa=0.65±0.22 and rAPNa=0.63±0.27. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) and pre-CMC of the copolymer, estimated from the UV absorption spectrum of Methylene Blue added to the aqueous solution of the copolymer, increased with APNa unit in the copolymer. The maximum amount of solubilized benzene into the aqueous solution of the copolymer increased with concentration of the copolymer higher than its pre-CMC, and decreased with increasing APNa unit in the copolymer.