| Abstract: | Reaction of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and diallyl phthalate or vinyl 4‐tert‐butylbenzoate has been found to give an iridescent reaction mixture. Transmittance spectra of the reaction mixture depended on the temperature in the range of 0 to 60°C. The temperature‐transmittance curves showed a discrete stepwise change near the room temperature. Polymerization reaction of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) in a nonreactive monomer substitute, dipropyl phthalate, showed a temperature dependence as was seen for the iridescent reaction mixture, but was not iridescent. PHEMA suspension in several aromatic solvents also showed iridescence, and some of them were temperature dependent. The mechanism of temperature‐dependent iridescence of the copolymerization reaction mixtures is discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 125–131, 1999 |
