Preparation and copolymerization of polyvalent metal salts of ethyleneglycol–methacrylate–phthalate

Preparation of polyvalent metal salts of ethyleneglycol–methacrylate–phthalate (EMP) was investigated by the reaction of the Na salt of EMP and chlorides of polyvalent metals such as Al 3+ , Cr 3+ , Fe 3+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , and Cu 2+ . It was found that, among the metal salts obtained the Cr salt could be obtained in the form of (EMP) 2− Cr(OH) in high purity and good yield where EMP means EMP residue: (EMP) 2−Cr(OH) is soluble in chief organic solvents and vinyl monomers such as styrene (St) and MMA. (EMP) 2 Cr(OH) was then copolymerized with St and MMA. As for the physical properties of the copolymers obtained, heat distortion temperature, compressive strength, and Rockwell hardness were generally improved by introducing (EMP 2 )Cr(OH) into the polymers. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength were also improved by selecting the most suitable concentration of (EMP) 2 Cr(OH) according to the species of vinyl monomers. Moreover, the physical properties of (EMP) 2 Cr(OH)–MMA copolymers are generally superior to those of (EMP) 2 Cr(OH)–St copolymers. TGA and boiling water resistance of the copolymers were also discussed.