Copolymerization behavior of 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzylamine and a preliminary evaluation of the copolymers in thermoset coatings

The title monomer was synthesized from 3‐isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzyl isocyanate in a significantly better yield than was previously reported. 3‐Isopropenyl‐α,α‐dimethylbenzylamine proved incapable of homopolymerization using free‐radical initiation but readily copolymerized with a variety of commonly available monomers under free‐radical conditions. Films of some of the copolymers were prepared and crosslinked using a variety of multifunctional epoxy compounds. The films had good solvent resistance, high hardness, and good gloss.