Preparation and homopolymerization of 2-arylazo-5-dimethylaminobenzyl acrylates and methacrylates

2‐Arylazo‐5‐dimethylaminobenzyl alcohols (1) were prepared and used for the preparation of 2‐arylazo‐5‐dimethylaminobenzyl acrylates (2) and methacrylates (3); these compounds were characterized by melting points, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The coloured compounds 2 and 3 were subjected to radical homopolymerization in solution initiated with AIBN at 70°C, and [η], IR and 1H NMR spectra of the polymers were determined. Alternatively, the coloured polymer with 2‐(2‐chlorophenylazo)‐5‐dimethylaminobenzyl methacrylate monomeric units was prepared by coupling of the copolymer of 3‐dimethylaminobenzyl methacrylate and styrene with 1‐chlorobenzenediazonium chloride.