Abstract: | 2,2′‐Mercaptoethylsulfide dimethacrylate (MESDMA) was synthesized from 2,2′‐mercaptoethylsulfide (MES) by a Phase‐Transfer Catalysis technique and, was characterized and corroborated by 1H‐NMR and FTIR spectra. Except for the poor impact strength, the MESDMA homopolymer resin shows better comprehensive properties, such as a higher refractive index (1.625), lower dispersion (Abbe's number 36), and good heat‐resistance (Tg 150°C) and surface hardness (3H), etc. Copolymerizing with styrene (St) can modify most of the properties of the resin. The refractive index, Abbe's number, onset wavelength, density, water‐absorption ratio, and absorption intensity of peaks in NIR region, etc. all display a regular change along with the proportion of MESDMA/St. The main absorption peaks in NIR region are assigned as follows: 1680 (first overtone) and 1144 nm (second overtone) to the phenyl C—H vibration of polystyrene; 1694 nm (first overtone) to ν(CH3); 1730 and 1750 nm (first overtone) to ν(CH2) for ordinary CH2 and for CH2 connected with S or COS groups, respectively; and 1186 nm (second overtone) to aliphatic C—H vibration. The prominent advantage achieved by copolymerization is that the impact strength can be improved as much as 10‐fold at a proper composition of the monomers (75% St). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1474–1479, 2000 |