Syntheses of monomethoxy polyethyleneglycol vinyl ether macromonomers and their radical copolymerization with maleic anhydride

In order to develop new biocompatible materials, monomethoxy polyethyleneglycol vinyl ethers (Me(EG) n VE, n = 1–39) were synthesized from the corresponding monomethoxy polyethyleneglycol with acetylene. Successful purification of the macromonomers was performed by some adsorption procedures such as charcoal and ion‐exchange resin treatments. The Me(EG) n VE macromonomers were easily copolymerized with maleic anhydride (MAn) to give alternating copolymers. The copolymerization rates significantly depended on the ethyleneglycol chain length of the Me(EG) n VE, resulting in relatively lower polymerization rate of higher MW macromonomer. The use of nonelectron donor solvent such as carbon tetrachloride led to higher yields and higher MW of copolymers.