Synthesis and dispersion copolymerization of poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) macromers with cinnamoyl end groups

Poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PMOZO) macromers bearing cinnamoyl functional groups were synthesized either by utilizing the end‐capping method of growing PMOZO living chains with cinnamic acid or by coupling glycolic PMOZO telomers with cinnamoyl chloride. The first approach was proved to be more efficient and convenient, giving rise easier to a quantitative functionalization. Dispersion copolymerization of styrene with the resulted macromers in an ethanol–water system has been studied in order to obtain monodisperse micrometer size beads. The effect of some variables, such as macromer dimension and concentration, initiator type, alcohol/water ratio, on conversion, particle size and size distribution was investigated.