Polymerization and Copolymerization Studies of Orthoacrylates: A Novel Class of Acrylic Esters

Abstract

Abstract Although ortho-esters constitute a well-known class of organic compounds, the orthoacrylates were unknown prior to a report from these laboratories in 1972. To date, this novel class of acrylic esters has not been investigated as polymerization monomers. We report here polymerization and copolymerization studies of representative members of this class of compounds. Although the orthoacrylates studied did not polymerize in the presence of conventional cationic initiators nor radical initiators, they did respond to radical-initiated copolymerization with a variety of conventional vinyl monomers. Their corresponding reactivity ratios were determined, as well as the Q and e parameters. Monomer syntheses and characterization are reported, as well as structural and properties studies on the copolymers.