Synthesis and structure of poly[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethyleneimine-co-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride]

The spontaneous copolymerization reaction in acetonitrile at 35 degrees C by 48 h between N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethyleneimine with 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride under different experimental conditions was studied. The yield and molecular weight ranged between 57 - 78 % and 8.5 - 9.1 (.) 10(3) respectively. The copolymer composition determined from H-1 NMR spectra demonstrated that as decreases the concentration of HEEI units in the feed, decreases the incorporation of HEEI units in the copolymer. According to the all spectroscopic data a copolymer structure was suggested. It considers the 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride units forming part either the backbone and the side chain,and the anhydride bonds are placed only in the side chains.