The Preparation and the Polymerization of Alkylene Glycolnitrate Acrylates and Methacrylates

The preparation and the radical polymerization of alkylene glycolnitrate acrylates (ANA) and methacrylates (ANMA) have been studied. Alkylene glycols studied were ethylene (E), propylene (P) and butylene glycols (B). In the radical polymerization of ANA and ANMA at a higher monomer concentration or at lower temperature, a gel effect was observed at a low conversion, and the resulting polymers were insoluble in almost organic solvents. Activation energies of overall polymerization evaluated under the conditions in which the gel effect was not observed were as follows: ENA 10.3, BNA 11.0, ENMA 20.6, PNMA 19.8, BNMA 18.3 kcal/mol, respectively. From the polymerization of BNMA initiated by benzoyl peroxide in acetone at 90°C, the rate of polymerization was found to be proportional to the square -root concentration of the initiator. The decomposition temperature of the polymers was determined as about 200-210°C by a differential thermal analysis.