Synthesis and Characterization of Copolymers of 2-N-Phthalimido-2-Methyl Propyl Methacrylate With Methyl Methacrylate and Determination of Copolymer Reactivity Ratios

2-N-Phthalimido-2-methyl propan-1-ol was prepared by refluxing phthalic anhydride dissolved in dimethyl formamide with 2-amino-2-methyl propan-1-ol. The monomer, 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propyl methacrylate was synthesized by reacting 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propan-1-ol dissolved in ethyl acetate with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. Free radical polymerization technique was used to synthesize the homo and copolymers of different feed composition of 2-N-phthalimido-2-methyl propyl methacrylate and methylmethac-rylate in ethyl acetate solution using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator at 70°C. The IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic techniques were used for the characterization of the polymers. The composition of the copolymers were determined by 1H-NMR analysis. The reactivity ratios of the co-monomers were evaluated according to Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdös methods.Thermal analysis of the polymers were carried out using TGA-DTG method. Gel permeation chromatography was used for determining the molecular weights (Mw and Mn) and polydispersity index of the polymers. The solubility and intrinsic viscosity of the homopolymer and copolymers were determined.