N‐Oxyl‐Controlled Radical Copolymerization of Styrene with Ethyl α‐Cyanocinnamate

Abstract Summary: The block copolymers of styrene and ethyl α‐cyanocinnamate were prepared in dioxane and xylene with TEMPO‐capped polystyrene (PSTEMPO) as macroinitiator. The copolymerizations were carried out at 125 °C and 135 °C. The reactivity ratios were determined according to Kelen Tüdos and compared with the reactivity ratios from the radical copolymerization of styrene and ethyl α‐cyanocinnamate determined by Kohn et al. The influence of the comonomer ethyl α‐cyanocinnamate on the glass transition temperature was studied in comparison with the corresponding homopolystyrene. Plots of conversion versus molecular weight distributions of the polymerizations with styrene at 125 °C. magnified image Plots of conversion versus molecular weight distributions of the polymerizations with styrene at 125 °C.