Functionalization and crosslinking reactions of ethyl-α-hydroxymethylacrylate

Ethyl-α-hydroxymethylacrylate (EHMA) was esterified with hexanoyl chloride in 80% yield. The homopolymer of the hexanoate ester was found to be a glassy thermoplastic and soluble polymer. Copolymerization of the hexanoate ester with EHMA in varying ratios gave polymers that were thermoplastic and more soluble as a result of internal lubrication of the long alkyl pendant groups. Copolymers with styrene were synthesized with relatively high conversion. Reaction of EHMA with adipoyl chloride gave a bis-ester which served as crosslinking agent when copolymerized with different monomers including EHMA itself. In a separate synthesis EHMA was reacted with toluenediisocyanate (TDI). In the absence of catalyst a monourethane was formed. This monomer still contains one isocyanate function and is capable of further reactions subsequent to double bond addition polymerization. This reaction was also carried out on poly-EHMA, with or without catalyst. The products were the mono and the crosslinked bisurethanes as expected. Thus, acyl chlorides and isocyanates were found to be excellent reagents for derivatization of EHMA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.