Synthesis and solution properties of poly(p,α dimethylstyrene-co-maleic anhydride): The use of a monomer potentially obtained from renewable sources as a substitute of styrene in amphiphilic copolymers

The use of p,α-dimethylstyrene, potentially obtainable from renewable sources, as a substitute for styrene in the synthesis amphiphilic copolymers is reported this work. A series novel poly(p,α-dimethylstyrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA) was synthesized, characterized, and studied potential polymeric surfactants. After hydrolysis, solution properties were compared to similar very well-known styrene-maleic acid copolymers. Both synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer-mediated polymerization (RAFT), sample via classical free radical polymerization. point view their properties, with particular attention influence macromolecular chemical structure on surface tension aqueous solutions. Our results suggest that p,α-dimethylstyrene can be employed maleic anhydride, resulting material being valid alternative SMA various applications, such emulsifiers dispersants. Furthermore, DMSMA seems slightly more active than SMA.