The Solid-state Polymerization of Styryl Monomers: A Structural Perspective

Abstract

Styryl monomers p-acetamidostyrene 1, p-benzamidostyrene 2 and p-vinylbenzoic acid 3 polymerize upon heating, or under γ- or UV-irradiation. The crystal structures of 1–3 (including two polymorphs of 3) contain short contacts (≈ 4.2 Å) between ?CH?CH₂ groups. Monomer single crystals subjected to heat or irradiation did not diffract X-rays and did not exhibit birefringence. NMR spectra of the polymerized product (at high degrees of conversion) were consistent with the formation of atactic polymer.