Polymerization of N‐Vinyl Lactam with Reactive Monomers

Abstract

This chapter begins with the copolymerization of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone with N‐vinyl caprolactam. It describes the copolymerization of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) with N‐vinyl formamide (VF), as another example of N‐vinyl amide comonomer. The reactivity ratio for VF and VP monomers are unity, and their copolymerization is the rare case of an azeotropic copolymerization, where the composition of the feed is identical to that found in the copolymer. Polyvinyl acetate is used in water‐based latex as a film former. It is also used in adhesives due to its tacky nature. Maleic anhydride does not readily homopolymerize on its own, and only low molecular weight oligomers are typically formed when using conventional free‐radical polymerization. Poly‐N‐substituted maleimides provides for stiff resins with high thermal and chemical resiliency. These desirable properties are important in the focused development of new polymeric materials combining high thermal and mechanical performance with new functional properties.