Synthesis and Copolymerization of Benzamide Methacrylate with Styrene

A new monomer, benzamide methacrylate, is synthesized, and its free radical copolymerization with styrene in mass and in a solution in benzene in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) is carried out and investigated. The ratio of comonomers is varied in a range of 90 : 10–10 : 90 mol %. The total concentration of comonomers is 1.7 mol/L at 70°C. The composition of the synthesized copolymers is determined by elemental analysis based on the nitrogen content. The monomer and copolymer are characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)). The values of the relative activity constants of the monomer are determined, and the Alfrey–Price parameters are calculated. To assess the nature of distribution of the links in the macromolecular chain, the parameters of the microstructure are calculated. It is found that r1 > r2 (r1 and r2 are the relative activity constants) in all the cases; therefore, the copolymer is enriched in benzamide methacrylate links. It is shown that the composition of the formed copolymers depends on the composition of the initial monomer mixture. The obtained copolymer possesses quite high medical and biological activity, which opens up the possibility for its use as bactericides and fungicides. The obtained copolymers based on benzamide methacrylate are nontoxic and can be used as bactericidal agents. It is found that the biocidal effect is first of all associated with the presence of benzamide fragment links in the macrochain.