| Abstract: | Polymers substituted with thio groups are useful for the photochemical synthesis of graft copolymers. Such copolymers have been prepared by the initial conversion of backbone polymers containing chlorinated substituents into polymers containing diethyldithiocarbamate (TC), isopropyl xanthate (IX) or mercaptobenzothiazole (BT) functionality. The photochemical reaction of monomers with these products produced graft copolymers. A variety of halogenated polymers were investigated as starting materials for these syntheses, including poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), chlorinated polyethylene, chlorobutyl rubber and neoprene. Characteristics of the grafting reactions, including “pseudo-living” behavior and tandem grafting aspects, were investigated. Glass transitions of the grafted polymers were found to vary uniformly with composition for most of the grafted products. |
