Sequence determination in styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymers by 13c nmr spectroscopy

Abstract

Styrene (St)–methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers with varying compositions were prepared in bulk by radical polymerization using 2, 2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. 13C and 1H NMR spectra of the copolymers were analyzed. From 1H NMR, reactivity ratios were determined. The triad sequences were determined by using the α-methyl and phenyl (C-1) resonances frequencies from 13C NMR spectra. The thermal decomposition behavior of the copolymers was related to the triad concentrations, calculated using the Bovey’s statistics. The effect of ferric chloride as a stabilizer on the composition of copolymer was also studied. © 1988 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.