Characterization and evaluation of copolymers of end-allenoxy polyoxyethylene macromonomers and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone

Abstract Polyethylene glycol allenyl methyl ether macromonomers (M 1 ), having M n =390 and 590 were copolymerized with N -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (M 2 ) using AIBN as an initiator in benzene. The reactivity ratios were calculated based on a 1 H NMR method, and their values are discussed. r 1 decreased from 0.64 to 0.12 and r 2 increased from 0.46 to 0.86 with increasing molecular weight of the macromonomers. Characterization of the polymers was performed by IR, NMR and GPC techniques. Thermal properties of the polymers were investigated by a TG/DTG method. The thermal stabilities of the copolymers are intermediate between those of the homopolymers and degradation occurs in three stages. The polymers have amphiphilic properties and are soluble in a variety of solvents including alcohols and water.