Free-radical-initiated copolymerization of 2-chlorostyrene, 4-chlorostyrene, and 2,6-dichlorostyrene with maleic anhydride

The title copolymers have been prepared by the free-radical-initiated copolymerization of 2-chlorostyrene (2-ClSt), 4-chlorostyrene (4-ClSt) and 2,6-dichlorostyrene (2,6-DClSt) with maleic anhydride (MAn) in toluene at 65 degreesC. Copolymers of chlorinated styrenes with MAn prepared under different monomer-to-monomer ratios in the feed have alternating composition. In all cases, the mixture of comonomers forms charge-transfer complex monomers (CTC). The initial rate of copolymerization increases with the increase of electron donors in the comonomer feed and the highest rates were at the equimolar ratios of comonomers in the feed. The thermal stability of the polymers was measured by thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen. Homopolymers decompose by a one-step mechanism, while copolymers are more thermostable and decompose by a two-step mechanism. Glass transition temperatures (T(g)s) of homopolymers are lower than T(g)s of copolymers. The number and weight average molecular weights of chlorinated copolymers are higher than those of the corresponding homopolymers.