Copolymers of N-Vinylpyrrolidone with N-(p-Acetoxy)phenylmaleimide and Its Oxime: Synthesis and Sorption Properties

Abstract

Radical copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with N-(p-acetoxy)phenylmaleimide and its oxime in the bulk and in a dimethylformamide solution was studied. Irrespective of the medium, copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with N-(p-acetoxy)phenylmaleimide yields copolymers with high tendency of comonomer units to alternation. Copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with N-(p-acetoxy)phenylmaleimide oxime in the bulk yields random copolymers. In the curve of the copolymer composition vs. the initial monomer mixture composition, there is an azeotropic point in the region of 45 mol % oxime. The kinetic relationships of the reactions were studied, and the structure of the copolymers obtained was determined. The ability of the copolymers to take up Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions from acidic and alkaline solutions was studied. The copolymers quantitatively take up Ni(II) and Cu(II) from ammonia solutions and can find use as sorbents for wastewater treatment to remove copper and nickel ions.