Conformational and neighboring effects in graft polymerization of acrolein on 4(5)-vinylimidazole-acrylamide copolymer

The graft polymerization of acrolein (AL) on poly-4(5)-vinylimidazole or the copolymers of 4(5)-vinylimidazole(VIm) and acrylamide of varying composition were carried out kinetically in an ethanol–water mixture at 0°C. The graft polymerization rate R_p increased with an increasing concentration of water in the solvent. On the other hand, the R_p of the copolymer which incorporated 50 mol % VIm showed the highest value. These results were discussed by assuming interaction between amide and imidazole groups in copolymer.