Preparation and properties of uniform beads based on macroporous glycidyl methacrylate–ethylene dimethacrylate copolymer: Use of chain transfer agent for control of pore‐size distribution

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) beads were prepared by both standard suspension polymerization and suspension polymerization in which the suspension of monodispersed droplets of the polymerization mixture was prepared by swelling of the shape‐template polymer particles with porogen diluents and monomers. The effect of bu‐tanethiol, a chain‐transfer agent in radical polymerization, on pore‐size distribution, specific surface area, and chromatographic properties was investigated and the mechanism of its action explained. The synergic effects of the chain transfer, cross‐linking monomer concentration, and content of porogenic diluent were documented.