Functional terpolymers containing vinylphosphonic acid: The synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-styrene-co-maleic anhydride)

Novel functional temperature‐sensitive amphiphilic P‐containing polymers were synthesized by complex‐radical ternary polymerization of vinylphosphonic acid (VPA), styrene (S), and maleic anhydride (MA). Charge transfer complexes (CTCs), complex‐formation constants (Kc) between acceptor and donor monomer systems and the complexed monomer reactivity ratios were investigated by 1H‐NMR analysis. Contrary to theoretical predictions, the VPA…S complex is more active as compared to MA…S complex in the ternary system since VPA monomer can form the CTC both with S monomer and strong H‐bonded complex with MA monomer. The terpolymer compositions, characterizations, and structure–property relationships of a series of poly(VPA‐co‐S‐co‐MA)s were investigated by GPC, FTIR, Raman, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, DEPT‐135, 31P‐NMR, TGA‐DSC, DMA, XRD, viscometry, and titration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012