Polymerisation of cyclic monomers, 8. Synthesis and radical polymerisation of hybrid 2-vinylcyclopropanes

Hybrid 2-vinylcyclopropanes were synthesised by the esterification of 1-methoxycarbonyl-2-vinylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid with hydroxy group containing (meth)acrylates in the presence of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). The structure of the new hybrid monomers was confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The radical polymerisation of the hybrid monomers in bulk with 2,2'-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) results in transparent cross-linked polymers, whereas solution polymerisation partially results in soluble polymers with pendant 2-vinylcyclopropyl groups.