Aminimides. XII. Synthesis,homo- and copolymerization studies of trialkylamine N-acryloyl or N-methacryloyl glycinimides and β-aminopropanimides

Some representative examples of a new family of aminimide monomers, i.e., trialkylamine N-acryloyl or N-methacryloyl glycinimides and β-aminopropanimides have been prepared and studied. These are the first examples of a possible large family of primary aminimide monomers. With radical initiators, the acryloyl and monosubstituted methacryloyl monomers readily homopolymerize. The disubstituted methacryloyl aminimides do not homopolymerize under the same conditions. All of the new monomers copolymerize with styrene, methyl methacrylate, and n-butyl acrylate. The various polymers were characterized by IR, DTA, TGA, GPC and inherent viscosities. When heated (160°C) the polymers liberate amine and crosslink in the presence of active hydrogen moieties to give resins with carbamate, urea, allophonate, etc., residues. When no active hydrogens are available during heating, polymers can be prepared with pendent primary isocyanate groups. This preliminary work shows these monomers to be highly useful for preparing a wide variety of reactive copolymers.