EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE SYNTHESIS OF “BIOINSPIRED” COPOLYMERS: POLY(VINYL BENZYL THYMINE-co-TRIETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE)

J. VICH BERLANGA, N. CASÍS, C. LUCIANI, D. MARTINO, D. ESTENOZ, G. MEIRA

Lima, Perú

Simposio; Simposio Iberoamericano de Polímeros; 2008

SLAP

“Bioinspired” copolymers based on vinyl benzyl thymine (VBT) and an ionically-charged monomer (vinyl benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride or VBA), were synthesized and theoretically investigated. The ionic groups make the polymer water-soluble. When this polymer is irradiated with UV light, a photocyclization between adjacent thymines takes place, rendering it water-insoluble. The experiments involved different comonomers ratios and initiator concentrations. The reactions were carried out at 65 C in a batch-stirred tank reactor with 2,2’-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and isopropanol as solvent. A mathematical model that simulates the polymers synthesis was developed [Casis et al.]. Samples were taken along the reactions to determine: (i) monomer conversion by gravimetry, (ii) chemical composition by elemental analysis, and (iii) molecular weight distribution by size exclusion chromatography. Theoretical predictions are in good agreement with measurements.