Functionalized polymers I. Poly(dichloroalkyl itaconates), synthesis and solution properties

The synthesis of poly(di-2-chloroethyl itaconate) (PD2CEI) and poly(di-3-chloropropyl itaconate) (PD3CPI) was carried out. The dilute solution behaviour of these polymers in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform at 298 K has been studied, by viscometry, membrane osmometry, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) measurements. The Kuhn-Mark-Houwink-Sakurada relationships were established. The flexibility factors σ and C_∞ and the thermodynamic parameters B were calculated using the Stockmayer-Fixman equation. The results obtained are compared with those found for the corresponding poly(methacrylates) and the poly(dialkyl itaconates), and discussed in terms of specific influence of the chlorine incorporated in the side chain.