Free-Radical-Initiated Polymerization of 6-Maleimidocholesterylhexanoate and 4-Maleimidocholesterylbenzoate and Copolymerization with α-Methylstyrene

Synthesis and free-radical-initiated homopolymerization of 6-maleimidocholesterylhexanoate (MIChHex) and 4-maleimidocholesterylbenzoate (MIChBenz) and copolymerization with α-methylstyrene (α-MeSt) are described. Monomers and α-MeSt form charge-transfer (CT) complexes with equilibrium constants: K MIChHex/α-MeSt = 0.06 L·mol −1 and K MIChBenz/α-MeSt = 0.05 L·mol −1 . The mechanism based on the participation of CT complex best explains the formation of alternating copolymers. Homopolymers and copolymers are film-forming materials which are stable up to 330°C under the conditions of TGA. T g s and other thermal transitions are below the decomposition temperature.