Synthesis of maleimide‐terminated n‐butyl acrylate oligomers by atom transfer radical polymerization: Study of their copolymerization with vinyl ethers

New maleimide-terminated oligomers of n-butyl acrylate can be synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization, using functional initiators. The oligomers have been synthesized using protected aromatic or aliphatic amines. The amine-terminated oligomers have been converted into the corresponding maleimide ones. The copolymerization of the maleimide compounds with vinyl ethers has been investigated, and the comparison of the kinetics of photopolymerization of aliphatic maleimides or aromatic ones with divinyl ethers shows the higher reactivity of the former. The acceptor/donor complex homopolymerization mechanism has been enlightened.