Glycidyl methacrylate polymers containing indole groups: Synthesis and characterization

The synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour of methacrylic and acrylic copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate without and with indole groups are reported. The copolymers based on glycidyl methacrylates belong to the potential class of functional polymers. Random copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate were synthesized by free radical polymerization using α α'-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator at 70±1°C. The copolymer products of glycidyl methacrylate have been modified by incorporation of indole groups through the ring opening reaction of the epoxy groups. Chemical modification was determined by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopic techniques. The modification of polyglycidyl methacrylate was faced with limited conversion which has been attributed to the steric hindering effect of the earlier grafted moieties. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of all copolymers was determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The Tg value of methacrylate copolymers containing indole groups was found to be decreased with incorporation of indole groups in polymer structures, while it increased in indole-incorporated acrylate copolymer. The presence of indole groups in the polymer side chains created new polymers with novel modified properties that may find some applications in polymer industry.