Synthesis and characterization of N-phenylmaleimide-methylvinylisocyanate copolymers with polystyrene side chains

Summary N-Substitued maleimide-methylvinylisocyanate copolymers with high glass transition temperature (T_g) was prepared and reacted with 4-hydroxy TEMPO (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinoxy) to yield polymers possessing stable radical at the side chain. The resulting polymers behaved as polymeric counter radicals for the radical polymerization of styrene. Thus, stable free radical mediated polymerization at the side chain was achieved. The resulting graft copolymers were characterized by spectral and thermal analysis. Received: 6 October 1999/Revised version: 7 March 2000/Accepted: 7 March 2000