Thermal stability eminence of PMMA prepared in presence of photosynthesized ruthenium carbonyl Schiff base as a catalyst

Abstract

AbstractSunlight irradiation reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with a Schiff base, bis (acetyl acetone) ethylene diimine, acacenH2, in benzene results in the formation of an octahedral complex [Ru(CO)2(acacen)] with a tetradentate ligand. The complex was structurally confirmed using elemental analysis, infrared, mass spectrometry, 1HNMR, UV–vis absorption spectra, and magnetic measurements. [Ru(CO)2(acacen)] complex compound was then used as a catalyst for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of sodium bisulfite as a cocatalyst. FT‐IR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used as a tool for structure confirmation and molecular weights of the poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). The stability of the catalyzed polymer against thermal degradation was investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to assess its distinctive thermal stability. Higher thermal stability of PMMA samples prepared in presence of [Ru(CO)2(acacen)] compared with blank PMMA were clearly observed. A reaction mechanism was suggested based on the coordination of the complex compound with the polymeric chains. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009