Radical copolymerization of α-(n-propyl)acrylic acid with maleimide in dioxane

A new kind of copolymer of α-(n-propyl)acrylic acid (n-PAA) and maleimide (MI) was prepared by free radical mechanism in dioxane at 60°C using AIBN as an initiator. The composition of copolymer was dependent on the monomer feed ratio and could be varied over a wide range from random to alternating. The reactivity ratios of monomers calculated according to YBR method were rMI=0.09±0.02 and rn-PAA=0.49±0.04. The dioxane as a solvent exerted marked effect on composition of copolymers due to the formation of hydrogen bonding between dioxane and n-PAA. The solubility and thermal behavior of copolymer were discussed in detail.