Preparation and characterization of 2-cyanoacrylate copolymers

Butyl and ethoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate and mixtures thereof in different molar ratios were subjected to polymerization at pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.5, and 6.9 and characterized by X-ray diffraction, hot-stage microscopy, and NMR analysis. The polymers were in an X-ray amorphous state. Their softening temperatures increased with ascending pH during polymerization. In all cases, the temperatures of the ethoxyethyl polymers were below those of the butyl polymers. Softening temperatures between those of the pure polymers could by achieved by copolymerization. The molar composition of the polymers was checked by NMR analysis. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.