Functionalization of styrenic polymer through acylation and grafting under microwave energy

MARCOS COUSTET; M. SUSANA CORTIZO

POLYMER JOURNAL

SOC POLYMER SCIENCE JAPAN

Año: 2010

0032-3896

In this work a new synthetic methodology for the functionalization of polystyrene (PS) has been developed using mild conditions with maleic anhydride in the presence of zinc oxide as catalyst and microwave energy. A mechanism for the acylation reaction is proposed. The effect of reaction conditions on the degree of functionalization of PS was investigated. A subsequent reaction with diisopropyl fumarate (DIPF)/ benzoyl peroxide affords the graft copolymer. The polymers were identified and characterized by FTIR, UV, 1H-RMN and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using double detection in order to confirm the structure of macromolecules. In addition, the effect of acylation and grafting into PS on the corrosion resistance were studied. The results show high efficiency of the acylation and grafting reactions under microwave conditions, without PS degradation. Improves in the corrosion resistance of both acylated and graft polymers suggest a good capacity as protective coating.