Free radical solution copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate with n‐vinyl pyrrolidinone

Copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (monomer 1) with N-vinyl pyrrolidinone (monomer 2) were prepared at 70°C in low yield by free radical initiated solution polymerizations in ethyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane and mixtures of the two solvents. Copolymer compositions were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Monomer reactivity ratios were then derived using the method of Kelen & Tudos. The magnitude of r1 was relatively unaffected by solvent composition, and ranged from 4.32 to 4.53 in a random fashion. In contrast, values of r2 showed a greater relative (but still random) spread from 0.0075 to 0.0147. Copolymers prepared by batch polymerization are selectively enriched with GMA monomer.