Synthesis of degradable copolymer networks containing hemiacetal components and well‐defined backbones

Abstract

AbstractA novel copolymer network was prepared using divinyl ether bis[4‐(vinyloxy)butyl] (4‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylene) biscarbamate (BECT) as crosslinking agent. First, the backbone chains were synthesized by the copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer technique. The molecular weight of poly(AA‐co‐MMA) was well‐controlled, and the polydispersity was low. Carboxyl group on the poly(AA‐co‐MMA) chains then reacted with BECT in the presence of pyridinium p‐toluenesulfonate, generating a copolymer network with hemiacetal component in the crosslinking segment. After being treated in strong acid, this copolymer network was able to be degraded owing to the hemiacetal structure, but the backbone chains remained intact. The copolymer network was stable in basic or neutral environment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011