Synthesis of isotactic,syndiotactic, and heterotactic poly(tributyltin methacrylate) and poly(tributyltin methacrylate-co-styrene)

Pure isotactic and enriched syndiotactic poly(tributyltin methacrylate) were synthesized by the reaction of the respective poly(methacrylic acid) with tributyltin oxide. The heterotactic polymer was prepared in a similar manner and from free radical initiated (AIBN or BPO) polymerization of tributyltin methacrylate. In each case, polymer configuration was confirmed by ¹H-NMR of the hydrolyzed/esterfied product. The relatively large ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR linewidth of the isotactic tributyltin containing polymer suggests an intra-molecular exchange of the pendant tin groups. T_g, T_d, and M _v data are also reported. Poly(tributyltinmethacrylate-co-styrene) was prepared by free radical polymerization and reactivity ratios r(styrene) = 0.51, r(TBTM) = 0.49] and Q-e values for TBTM (0.78, 0.38) were determined.