| Abstract: | Two types of novel functionalized N‐[4‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]maleimide and N‐(4‐{[2‐(3‐thienyl)acetyl]oxyphenyl}oxycarbonylphenyl)maleimide (MIThi) were synthesized starting from 4‐maleimido benzoic acid. Photoinduced radical homopolymerization of MIThi and its copolymerization with styrene were performed at room temperature to give linear polymers containing pendant thienyl moieties using ω,ω‐dimethoxy‐ω‐phenylacetophenone as an initiator. Copolymers' compositions and the equilibrium constant (K) for electron donor–acceptor complex formation suggest an alternating nature of the copolymerization. The monomer reactivity ratios and Alfrey–Price Q,e values were also determined. The thermal behavior of the new synthesized monomers and polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 995–1004, 2002 |
