Synthesis and solution properties of poly(ditoluyl itaconates)

The three o-, m- and p- isomers of ditoluyl itaconate were obtained by esterification of cresols and itaconic acid in the presence of diphosphorous pentoxide, and then polymerized in bulk with AlBN as initiator. The polymers were investigated in dilute solution, including $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{W}}$ determination and precipitation fractionations, and the results compared with those for poly(diphenyl itaconate). The presence and position of -CH, in the aromatic ring influence the initial rates of polymerization, polymer solubilities in organic solvents and $\text{[η]/}\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{W}}$ relations. Unperturbed dimensions, obtained by extrapolating to τ-conditions, vary slightly with the -CH, group position, due to steric and probably other effects.