A methacrylate monomer, cyclohexene-3-yl methyl methacrylate (CHMA) was synthesized by reaction of 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine at 0-5°C. The homopolymer of CHMA and its copolymer with styrene (St) were prepared by free radical polymerization. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), 1 H NMR, and 13 C NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the homopolymers and copolymers.1 H NMR spectra were used to determine the compositions of the copolymers. Linearization methods such as Kelen-Tüdös, Extended Kelen-Tüdös, and a non-linear least squares method were all used to determine the reactivity ratios of the monomers. The effect of copolymer compositions on their thermal behavior was studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis methods.

A new methacrylate copolymer that includes chalcone as a side group, poly(4-methacryloyloxyphenyl-4'-methoxystyryl ketone-co-styrene) was synthesized by free radical copolymerization. FTIR and 1 H NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the homopolymers and copolymers. The copolymerizations were carried out to high conversions. Copolymer compositions were established by 1 H NMR spectra analysis. The monomer reactivity ratios for copolymer system were determined by the linearized Kelen Tüdös, and Extended Kelen Tüdös methods and a non-linear least squares method. The molecular weights and polydispersity index of copolymers were measured by using the gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effect of copolymer compositions on their thermal behavior were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The optical properties of the resulting copolymer were also investigated.

Methacrylates have high glass transition temperature (Tg) values and high thermal stability. A new methacrylate copolymer, poly(4-acetylphenyl methacrylate-co-ethyl methacrylate) (APMA-co-EMA), was synthesized. The thermal behaviors of copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. They behaved as new single polymers with singleTg’s and the thermal stability of the copolymers increased with increasing 4-acetylphenyl methacrylate (APMA) fraction, leading to the manufacture of copolymers with desiredTgvalues. Structure and composition of copolymers for a wide range of monomer feed ratios were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic techniques. Copolymerization reactions were continued up to 40% conversions. The monomer reactivity ratios for copolymer system were determined by the Kelen-Tüdös (ra(APMA)=0.81;rb(EMA)=0.61) and extended Kelen-Tüdös (ra=0.77;rb=0.54) methods and a nonlinear least squares (ra=0.74;rb=0.49) method.