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Synthesis and properties of poly(1‐alkyl‐3‐methylene‐2‐pyrrolidone)s
Author(s) -
Iskander George M.,
Ovenell Toni R.,
Davis Thomas P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.1996.021971006
Subject(s) - alkyl , polymer chemistry , monomer , polymer , methylene , chemistry , moiety , thermogravimetric analysis , radical polymerization , polymerization , glass transition , organic chemistry
A series of α‐methylene‐ N ‐alkyl‐2‐pyrrolidone monomers with varying length of the alkyl chain from C 1 to C 8 were synthesised. The monomers were subjected to free radical polymerisation to yield a range of polymers each with a different balance in hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties originating from the pyrrolidone moiety and the N ‐alkyl chain. The equilibrium water content of polymers crosslinked with ethylene dimethacrylate were found to decrease with increasing alkyl chain length. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers are reported ranging from 98°C to ‐5°C on going from the methyl to the octyl derivative. The thermal degradation of the polymers was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolysis gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy. The polymers were found to degrade at ca. 400°C predominantly via an unzipping mechanism. Pyrolysis at 450°C results in five products.