Synthesis of Triphenyl Phosphine Oxide-Containing Polymers via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

Bis[(4-beta-(2-bromopropanoate)ethoxy)phenyl]phenylphosphine oxide was used for the first time as the initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of CuBr/N, N, N', N '', N ''-pentamethyldiethylene-triamine as catalyst/ligand and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent. The presence of phosphine oxide linkages in the backbone gives the polymers special properties; low T-g, high char yield, and decreases the oxygen induction time value. A linear increase of number average molecular weight (M-n) versus monomer conversion was observed, and the molecular weight distribution was relatively narrow (M-w/M-n 1.1-1.3). FTIR, (HNMR)-H-1, gel permeation chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopies were used for the characterization of the related polymers. The thermal properties of these polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128: 888-898, 2013