Free-Radical (Co)polymerization of Tulipalin A─Analyzing Copolymerization Behavior

The free-radical polymerization of Tulipalin A (α-methylene-butyrolactone, MBL) to its homopolymer and copolymerization with a wide range of biobased acrylates and methacrylates in different molar ratios is studied. The polymerization was performed under solvent-free conditions, either thermally or photochemically initiated or the combination of both. Polymerization conversions were analyzed using 1H NMR spectroscopy. From the wide range of (meth)acrylates, predictions based on the Q–e scheme were made, and the copolymerization parameters r1 and r2 were experimentally determined and discussed. From this, the correlations to the Tg discrepancy and turbidity were derived. Correlations that comonomers are compatible with MBL and form homogeneous copolymers and which tend to phase separation were found.