Glycidyl methacrylate and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone copolymers: Synthesis,characterization, and reactivity ratios

Free radical copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VPD) was carried out using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), in chloroform at 60°C. The polymers were characterized by IR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic methods. The percentage composition of the copolymers were established by microelemental analysis and by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The copolymerization reactivity ratios were computed using the Fineman-Ross method, the Kelen-Tudos method, and the extended Kelen-Tudos method. The molecular weights of the copolymers were obtained by GPC measurements. Thermal properties of the homo- and copolymers were also studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The copolymers were tested as adhesives for leather-to-leather and leather-torubber bonding.     

Synthesis and polymerization of a new iodine‐containing monomer

A new iodine‐containing methacrylate monomer, 3,4,5‐triiodobenzoyloxyethyl methacrylate (TIBEM), was synthesized by coupling 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with 3,4,5‐triiodobenzoic acid. The monomer was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared (IR), and ultraviolet spectra. Homopolymerization and copolymerization of the monomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were carried out using 2,2′‐azobis isobutyronitrile as the initiator. A terpolymer of TIBEM, MMA, and HEMA was also synthesized. The copolymers were characterized by IR, gel permeation chromatography, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). High molecular weight polymers were produced with MMA at different feed compositions of TIBEM. The polymers were found to be freely soluble in common solvents for acrylic polymers. TGA showed little decomposition of the copolymer below 280°C. Copolymers showed good radiopacity at 25 wt % of TIBEM in the feed. These copolymers could find applications in medical and dental areas where radiopacity is a desirable feature of the implants. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2580–2584, 2003     

Copolymerization of N‐aryl substituted itaconimide with methyl methacrylate: Effect of substituents on monomer reactivity ratio and thermal behavior

The article describes the synthesis and characterization of N‐(4‐methoxy‐3‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide (MCPI) and N‐(2‐methoxy‐5‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide (OMCPI) obtained by reacting itaconic anhydride with 4‐methoxy‐3‐chloroanisidine and 2‐methoxy‐5‐chloroanisidine, respectively. Structural and thermal characterization of MCPI and OMCPI monomers was done by using ¹H NMR, FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copolymerization of MCPI or OMCPI with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in solution was carried out at 60°C using AIBN as an initiator and THF as solvent. Feed compositions having varying mole fractions of MCPI and OMCPI ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 were taken to prepare copolymers. Copolymerizations were terminated at low percentage conversion. Structural characterization of copolymers was done by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis and percent nitrogen content was used to calculate the copolymer composition. The monomer reactivity ratios for MMA–MCPI copolymers were found to be r₁ (MMA) = 0.32 ± 0.03 and r₂ (MCPI) = 1.54 ± 0.05 and that for MMA–OMCPI copolymers were r₁ (MMA) = 0.15 ± 0.02 and r₂ (OMCPI) = 1.23 ± 0.18. The intrinsic viscosity [η] of the copolymers decreased with increasing mole fraction of MCPI/or OMCPI. The glass transition temperature as determined from DSC scans was found to increase with increasing amounts of OMPCI in copolymers. A significant improvement in the char yield as determined by thermogravimetry was observed upon copolymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2391–2398, 2006     

Photocrosslinkable copolymers based on 4‐acryloyloxyphenyl‐3′‐chlorostyryl ketone and methyl methacrylate: synthesis,comonomer reactivity ratios and UV photosensitivity

A new photosensitive acrylate monomer having a pendant chlorocinnamoyl moiety (APCSK) was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in different feed compositions in ethyl acetate solution at 70°C using benzoyl peroxide as a free‐radical initiator. The newly synthesized copolymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral techniques, as well as by size‐exclusion chromatography. Their thermal behaviour was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis in air and differential scanning calorimetry under nitrogen atmosphere. The copolymers exhibit no phase separation since there is only one glass transition temperature (T_g) value in the region of copolymer composition studied. The reactivity ratios of the comonomers were calculated by adopting linearization methods such as the Fineman–Ross (F‐R), Kelen–Tudos (K‐T) and extended Kelen–Tudos (ExtK‐T) methods, and by a non‐linear error‐in‐variables model method (EVM) using a computer program (RREVM). The results suggest that MMA is more reactive than APCSK and that their copolymerization leads to the formation of random copolymers. The photosensitivity of the copolymer samples was studied in solution as well as in thin films through UV irradiation. The influence of different factors, including solvent nature, concentration, temperature, photosensitizer and copolymer composition, on the rate of photocrosslinking of the photoreactive copolymers was investigated for effective industrial application of these polymers as negative photoresists. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of well‐defined comb‐like amphiphilic copolymers with protonizable units in the pendent chains: 1. Preparation of narrow polydispersity copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate by atom‐transfer radical polymerization

Well‐defined methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2‐(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (Pro‐HEMA) copolymers were prepared by atom‐transfer radical polymerization(ATRP), using CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine as catalytic system and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as initiator. ATRP process of MMA and Pro‐HEMA was monitored by ¹H NMR, and the kinetic curves of the MMA/Pro‐HEMA copolymerization were plotted in terms of the ¹H NMR data. At low content of Pro‐HEMA in the feed composition, the copolymerization can be well controlled with the molecular weight, polydispersity and the monomer distribution in the copolymer chain. With the increase of Pro‐HEMA content in the feed mixture, the composition of the final copolymer deviates from the composition of the feed mixture gradually, and gradient copolymers of MMA/Pro‐HEMA can be obtained. Through the hydrolysis process, well‐defined copolymers of MMA/HEMA were obtained from poly(MMA/Pro‐HEMA). Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of perfluorinated acrylate–methyl methacrylate copolymers

A novel perfluorinated acrylic monomer 3,5‐bis(perfluorobenzyloxy)benzyl acrylate (FM) with perfluorinated aromatic units was synthesized with 3,5‐bis(perfluorobenzyl)oxybenzyl alcohol, acryloyl chloride, and triethylamine. Copolymers of FM monomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared via free‐radical polymerization at 80°C in toluene with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. The obtained copolymers were characterized by ¹H‐NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The monomer reactivity ratios for the monomer pair were calculated with the extended Kelen–Tüdos method. The reactivity ratios were found to be r₁ = 0.38 for FM, r₂ = 1.11 for MMA, and r₁r₂ < 1 for the pair FM–MMA. This shows that the system proceeded as random copolymerization. The thermal behavior of the copolymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The copolymers had only one glass‐transition temperature, which changed from 46 to 78°C depending on the copolymer composition. Melting endotherms were not observed in the DSC traces; this indicated that all of the copolymers were completely amorphous. Copolymer films were prepared by spin coating, and contact angle measurements of water and ethylene glycol on the films indicated a high degree of hydrophobicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

One‐step synthesis of star‐block copolymers via simultaneous free radical polymerization of styrene and ring opening polymerization of ε‐caprolacton using tetrafunctional iniferter

Star‐block copolymers comprised of poly(styrene) (S) core and four poly(ε‐caprolacton) (ε‐CL) arms were synthesized by the combination of free radical polymerization (FRP) of S and ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐CL in one‐step in the presence of tetrafunctional ineferter. The block copolymers were characterized by ¹H‐NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and fractional precipitation method. ¹H ‐NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and GPC studies of the obtained polymers indicate that star‐block copolymers easily formed as result of combination FRP and ROP in one‐step. The γ values (solvent/precipitant volume ratio) were observed between 1.04–2.72 (mL/mL) from fractional measurements. The results show that when the initial S feed increased, the molecular weights of the star‐block copolymers also increased and the polydispersities of the polymers decreased. M_w/M_n values of the products were measured between 1.4 and 2.86 from GPC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Copolymerization of 4-cyanophenyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate: Synthesis,characterization and determination of monomer reactivity ratios

Summary A novel methacrylic monomer, 4-cyanophenyl methacrylate (CPM) was synthesized by reacting 4-cyanophenol dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst. Copolymers of CPM with methyl methacrylate(MMA) at different composition was prepared by free radical solution polymerization at 70±1 °C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The solubility of the polymers was tested in various polar and non polar solvents. The molecular weight and polydispersity indices of the copolymers were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperature of the copolymers increases with increase in mole fraction of MMA content. The thermal stability of the copolymer increases with increases in mole fraction of CPM content in the copolymer. The copolymer composition was determined by using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The monomer reactivity ratios estimated by the application of linearization methods such as Fineman-Ross (r₁=2.524±0.038, r₂=0.502±0.015), Kelen-Tudos (r₁=2.562±0.173, r₂=0.487±0.005) and extended Kelen-Tudos methods (r₁=2.735±0.128, r₂=0.4915±0.007).     

Synthesis of acetophenone formaldehyde resin containing ABA type block copolymers by ATRP

Well‐defined ABA type block copolymers of acetophenone formaldehyde resin (AFR) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. In the first step, acetophenone formaldehyde resin containing hydroxyl groups was modified with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide. Resulting difunctional macroinitiator was used in the ATRP of MMA using copper bromide (CuBr)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyl‐diethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as the catalyst system at 90°C. The chemical composition and structure of the copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and molecular weight measurement. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to study the molecular weight distributions of the AFR block copolymers. M_n up to 24,000 associated with narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI < 1.5) were obtained with conversions up to 79%. Coating properties of obtained block copolymers such as adhesion and reflectance values were investigated. They showed good adhesion properties on Plexiglass substrates. Reflectance values increased as the resin content of polymer increased. The thermal properties of all polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All block copolymers showed higher thermal stability than their precursor AFR resin. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis of cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin‐methylmethacrylate block‐graft copolymers via ATRP

Well defined block‐graft copolymers of cyclohexanone‐formaldehyde resin (CFR) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In the first step, cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin (CFR) containing hydroxyl groups were modified with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide. Resulting multifunctional macroinitiator was used in the ATRP of MMA using copper bromide (CuBr) and N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyl‐diethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst system at 90°C. The chemical composition and structure of the copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and molecular weight measurement. Molecular weight distributions of the CFR graft copolymers were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). M_n values up to 19,000 associated with narrow molecular weight distributions (polydispersity index (PDI) < 1.6) were obtained with conversions up to 49%. Coating properties of synthesized graft copolymers such as adhesion and gloss values were measured. They exhibited good adhesion properties on Plexiglas substrate. The thermal behaviors of all polymers were conducted using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Copolymerization of 2-methyl-N-1,3-thiazole-2-ylacrylamide with glycidyl methacrylate: synthesis, characterization, reactivity ratios and biological activity

The free-radical copolymerization of 2-methyl-N-1,3-thiazole-2-ylacrylamide monomer (TMA) with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was carried out in 1,4-dioxane at 65 ± 1 °C using azobisisobutironitril (AIBN) as an initiator. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹³C-NMR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopic methods. The copolymer compositions were determined by elemental analysis. The weight-average and number-average molecular weights of the copolymers were obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polydispersity indices of the polymers, determined with gel permeation chromatography, suggested a strong tendency for chain termination by disproportionation. Thermal properties of the polymers were also studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using Kelen–Tudos and Fineman–Ross linearization methods. The reactivity ratios indicated a tendency toward for alternation. The thermal decomposition activation energies of the polymers were evaluated by Ozawa method. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the copolymers were also investigated on various bacteria and fungi. All the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi.     

Copolymerization of 4-biphenyl methacrylate with glycidyl methacrylate: Synthesis, Characterization, thermal properties and determination of monomer reactivity ratios

Summary The methacrylic monomer, 4-biphenylmethacrylate (BPM) was synthesized by reacting 4-biphenyl phenol dissolved in ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) with methacryloyl chloride in presence of triethylamine as a catalyst. The copolymers of BPM with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization in EMK solution at 70±1 °C using benzoyl peroxide as a free radical initiator. The copolymerization behaviour was studied in a wide composition interval with the mole fractions of BPM ranging from 0.15 to 0.9 in the feed. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The solubility was tested in various polar and non polar solvents. The molecular weight and polydispersity indices of the polymers were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The glass transition temperature of the copolymers increases with increase in BPM content. The thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers showed that the thermal stability of the copolymer increases with BPM content. The copolymer composition was determined using ¹H-NMR spectra. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by the application of conventional linearization methods such as Fineman-Ross (r₁=0.392 ± 0.006, r₂ = 0.358 ± 0.007, Kelen-Tudos (r₁= 0.398 ± 0.004, r₂= 0.365 ± 0.013) and extended Kelen-Tudos methods (r₁= 0.394 ± 0.004, r₂= 0.352 ± 0.006).     

Synthesis of defined polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane‐containing diblock and triblock methacrylate copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization

Defined diblock and triblock copolymers composed of methyl methacrylate‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate block and 3‐{3,5,7,9,11,13,15‐hepta(2‐methylpropyl)‐pentacyclo[9.5.1.1^3,9.1^5,15.1^7,13]‐octasiloxan‐1‐yl}propyl methacrylate block(s), i.e., P(MMA‐co‐GMA)‐b‐PiBuPOSSMA and PiBuPOSSMA‐b‐P(MMA‐co‐GMA)‐b‐PiBuPOSSMA, were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, monofunctional and bifunctional P(MMA‐co‐GMA) copolymers were synthesized by ATRP. Subsequently, these copolymers were successfully used as macroinitiators for ATRP of POSS‐containing methacrylate monomer. The process showed high initiation efficiency of macroinitiators and led to products with low dispersity. The synthesized block copolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and their glass transition temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis of new imidazole-based monomer and copolymerization studies with methyl methacrylate

In this study, copolymers were synthesized using methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-allyloxymethyl-1-methylimidazole (AOMMI) monomers at various ratios. For this purpose, hydroxyl end-functionalized imidazole was initially prepared with 1-methylimidazole and then it was used to prepare allyl-derived imidazole monomers. Finally, the synthesis of copolymers (poly(MMA-co-AOMMI)) was carried out using different proportions of commercial MMA and AOMMI monomers. Photopolymerization method was preferred as polymerization technique. The polymerization was carried out in solvent-free medium and benzophenone was used as the initiator. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR) and elemental analysis were used for the structural characterization of the obtained copolymers. Molecular weights and the thermal behaviour of the synthesized copolymers were analysed with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques, respectively. The surface of the products was tried to be illuminated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the obtained FTIR, NMR and elemental analysis results, the copolymers were successfully synthesized. A number average molecular weights of poly(MMA-co-AOMMI) samples were found 13,500 (MMA:2/AOMMI:1), 16,600 (MMA:1/AOMMI:2) and 17,300 (MMA:1/AOMMI:1) according to the mixing ratios. When the thermal stabilities of the synthesized copolymers were observed, it has been seen that those containing imidazole had higher stability than the neat PMMA.     

Preparation and characterization of copolymers from methyl methacrylate and cardanyl methacrylate

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and cardanyl methacrylate (CMA) were synthesized, characterized and their physico-mechanical properties were investigated. The benzoyl peroxide-initiated copolymerization was carried out by using different mole fractions of CMA (0.02–0.10) in the initial feed at 80°C. Structural characterization of copolymers was done using FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The thermal stability of the copolymers was evaluated using dynamic thermogravimetry. Incorporation of CMA in the MMA backbone leads to an improvement in thermal stability.     

Functional copolymers of p‐cumyl phenyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate: Synthesis,characterization, and reactivity ratios

Free‐radical polymerization of p‐cumyl phenyl methacrylate (CPMA) was performed in benzene using bezoyl peroxide as an initiator at 80°C. The effect of time on the molecular weight was studied. Functional copolymers of CPMA and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with different feed ratios were synthesized by free‐radical polymerization in methyl ethyl ketone at 70°C, and they were characterized by FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights and polydispersity indexes of the polymers and copolymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography. The copolymer composition was determined by ¹H‐NMR. The glass‐transition temperature of the polymer and the copolymers was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined by the Fineman–Ross and Kelen–Tudos methods. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 336–347, 2005     

Synthesis and properties of novel crosslinkable second‐order nonlinear optical polymers based on 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene

Two crosslinkable second‐order nonlinear optical polymers were prepared by copolymerization of 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorostyrene, styrene (St), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐(4‐{[2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] ethylamino}‐phenyl) diazene (DR1M) via the sealed‐tube reaction technique. These polymers were characterized using ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The crosslinkable polymers have high molecular weights, good organosolubility, excellent film‐forming properties and high glass transition (106–110 °C) and thermal decomposition temperatures (290–350 °C) after being crosslinked. Furthermore, the polymer films possess not only high values (12–16 pm V^?1) of electro‐optical coefficient (r₃₃) at 1.3 µm wavelength but also low optical loss (1.7 dB cm^?1) at 1.55 µm wavelength, which is of interest for applications in electro‐optical devices. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolyperoxides of 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate and styrene; Synthesis,characterization, thermal analysis,and reactivity ratios

Copolyperoxides of 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (AEMA) with styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) of different compositions have been synthesized in the presence of 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as a free radical initiator under 100 psi oxygen pressure at 50 °C. The rates of oxidative copolymerization reactions are determined from the oxygen consumption (Δp) against time plot. Highly exothermic thermal degradations of these copolyperoxides are studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and degradation products have been characterised by electron-impact mass spectroscopy (EI-MS). The NMR spectroscopy and EI-MS analysis confirm the alternating peroxy bonds in the main chain. The monomer reactivity ratios are computed by the Fineman–Ross and Kelen–Tüdös methods, using compositions obtained from ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis. These copolymers can potentially be used as polymeric initiators for the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, autocombustible fuel. Also, the β-carbonyl moieties along the side chain of the copolyperoxides can be utilized to prepare degradable polyperoxide–metal complexes.     

Synthesis of well‐defined comb‐like amphiphilic copolymers with protonizable units in the pendent chains: 2. Poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) grafted poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymers and their association behavior in aqueous solution

Narrow‐distribution, well‐defined comb‐like amphiphilic copolymers are reported in this work. The copolymers are composed of poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (P(MMA‐co‐HEMA)) as the backbones and poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) as the grafted chains, with the copolymer backbones being synthesized via atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and the grafted chains by oxyanionic polymerization. The copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The aggregation behavior in aqueous solutions of the comb‐like amphiphilic copolymers was also investigated. ¹H NMR spectroscopic and surface tension measurements all indicated that the copolymers could form micelles in aqueous solutions and they possessed high surface activity. The results of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations showed that the hydrodynamic diameters of the comb‐like amphiphilic copolymer aggregates increased with dilution. Because of the protonizable properties of the graft chains, the surface activity properties and micellar state can be easily modulated by variations in pH. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Degradation and initiation polymerization mechanism of α‐methylstyrene‐containing macroinitiators

Copolymers obtained from radical copolymerization of α‐methylstyrene (AMS) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) behave as macroinitiators, when heated in the presence of a second monomer, giving rise to block copolymers. The relevant degradation and initiation polymerization mechanism of the macroinitiators were studied. Thermal depropagation of the macroinitiators generated monomers, identified by ¹H‐NMR, photoionization mass spectroscopy and FT‐IR. According to the results of structure analysis by GPC, ESR and NMR spectroscopy, the AMS‐GMA (head‐head) and AMS‐AMS (head‐head) bonds in the macroinitiators are easily scissored providing free radicals when the temperature is above 80°C. The radicals lead to subsequent polymerization of the second monomer, and thereby block copolymers are formed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011