SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, THERMAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A NEW METHACRYLATE POLYMER AND ITS DERIVATIVES

A new type of methacrylate monomer, 2-(4-acetylphenoxy)-2-oxoethyl-2-methylacrylate(AOEMA), was synthesized. The radical homopolymerization of AOEMA was performed at 65 degrees C in a 1,4-dioxane solution with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The oxime, and thiosemicarbazone derivatives of poly[2-(4-acetylphenoxy)-2-oxoethyl-2-methylacrylate] (AOEMA) were prepared with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and thiosemicarbazone hydrochloride, respectively. The monomer and its homopolymer were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and NMR techniques. The thermal stabilities of poly(AOEMA) and its derivatives were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The ultraviolet stability of the polymers were compared. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the monomer and the polymer and its derivatives were also investigated on various bacteria and fungi. The activation energies of the thermal degradation of the polymers were calculated with the Ozawa method.