Influence of the structure of unsaturated imides on their polymerizability and on the polymer properties

Abstract

AbstractOn the basis of the comparison between the polymerization rates, intrinsic viscosities and molecular weights of the polymers of N‐substituted maleimides and citraconimides a conclusion is drawn that the methyl group in citraconimide causes a decrease in the reactivity of its double bond. Fractions of poly‐N‐isobutylmaleimide (P‐N‐IBMI) were investigated by the methods of translational diffusion, sedimentation, and flow birefringence. In the range of molecular weights from 0.19 × 106 to 3.6 × 106 relationships are obtained between the molecular weight M of the fractions investigated, their intrinsic viscosity [η], diffusion coefficient D, and sedimentation coefficient S. The hydrodynamic data obtained indicate that macromolecules of P‐N‐IBMI exhibit high rigidity due to the presence of cycles in their main chain. A marked optical anisotropy of the P‐N‐IBMI molecules is positive and indicates that molecular chains of P‐N‐IBMI in solution have a trans conformation.