Fine-tuning of thermal dissociation temperature using copolymers with hemiacetal ester moieties in the side chain: effect of comonomer on dissociation temperature

Abstract

Synthesis of polymers with hemiacetal ester moieties in the side chain by radical copolymerization of 1-alkoxyethyl methacrylate with various vinyl monomers and their thermal dissociation behavior are described. Radical copolymerization of 1-alkoxyethyl methacrylates with vinyl monomers was carried out in the presence of 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile at 60°C to afford the corresponding copolymers with hemiacetal ester moieties in the side chain. The thermal dissociation behavior of the obtained copolymers was examined by means of TG–DTA measurements to observe that the dissociation temperatures of hemiacetal ester units depended on their comonomer components. The polarity of the comonomers and the ability to form hydrogen-bonding were key forces to control their thermal dissociation behavior.