Polymers with aldehyde and acetal groups based on esters of methacrylic acid

Abstract

AbstractSoluble poly(2,2‐diethoxyethyl methacrylate) (1a) was prepared by radical polymerization in solution. Copolymers from 2,2‐diethoxyethyl methacrylate (3a), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (4) and ethylene dimethacrylate (5) were prepared by suspension polymerization in the form of crosslinked beads (50–220 μm in diameter, specific surface area up to 38 m2/g). Acetal groups of these polymers resist direct hydrolysis, but can be transacetalized. Soluble poly(3,3‐diethoxypropyl methacrylate) (1b) was prepared by radical polymerization in solution. Copolymers with 4 and 5 were prepared by suspension polymerization in the form of crosslinked beads (30 – 140 μm in diameter; specific surface area up to 46 m2). The polymers readily under go quantitative transcacetalization. Soluble poly(2‐formylethyl methacrylate) (8) was prepared by radical polymerization in solution. Copolymers of 2‐formylethyl methacrylate (7) with 4 and 5 were prepared by suspension polymerization in the bead form (diameter 75 – 350 μm; specific surface area up to 128 m2/g). The aldehyde group of these polymers is sensitive to oxidation in air. The content of aldehyde groups was measured spectrometrically and by reaction with 1,2‐ethanedithiol.