Conventional free-radical and RAFT copolymerization of poly(ethylene oxide) containing macromonomers

Conventional free-radical and RAFT copolymerization of poly(ethylene oxide) substituent containing methacrylate macromonomers, PEO5MEMA and PEO45MEMA, was studied by the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy for an analysis of residual monomers. From the monomer consumption curves, several parameters including monomer conversion, instantaneous copolymer composition and reactivity ratios of the monomers were evaluated. Reactivity ratios of PEO5MEMA and MAA estimated by non-linear approach of error-in-variables model and presented as joint confidence regions were constant during conventional free-radical and RAFT copolymerizations of the above monomers but were slightly affected by the RAFT process. Reactivity ratio of PEO45MEMA was found to be lower than that of PEO5MEMA and varied during copolymerization: increased with conversion in conventional free-radical copolymerization and slightly (without confidence) decreased in the RAFT process. RAFT copolymerization of PEO45MEMA and MAA enabled to synthesize comb copolymers with low composition distribution and more homogeneous distribution of PEO side chains along the mainchain. Under copolymerization with MAA, PEO45MEMA behaved like typical macromonomer with appropriate steric hindrance while the behavior of PEO5MEMA was similar to that of a low-molecular methacrylate.