Poly(2‐ethylbutyl methacrylate). VI. Dilute solution properties by viscosity and light scattering

Poly(2‐ethylbutyl methacrylate) was prepared by emulsion polymerization and fractionated. Light‐scattering and viscosity techniques were used to study eight fractions in a good solvent, methyl ethyl ketone, and in an ideal solvent, isopropanol. Relations between viscosity and molecular weight are shown. The effect of the size of pendant groups on the degree of chain extension of a series of alkyl methacrylate polymers in ideal solvents is discussed. It was found that the degree of chain extension of the polymers thus far studied follows the order: poly(n‐lauryl methacrylate) > poly(n‐hexyl methacrylate) > poly(2‐ethylbutyl methacrylate) ≥ poly(n‐octyl methacrylate) > poly(n‐butyl methacrylate) > poly(ethyl methacrylate) ≥ poly(methyl methacrylate).