Copolymers of 2-hydroxyethylacrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate by nitroxide mediated polymerization: kinetics, SEC-ESI-MS analysis and thermoresponsive properties

The nitroxide mediated copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) is reported. The copolymerization kinetics followed the persistent radical model and revealed the formation of well-defined ideal random copolymers (r HEA = 0.93 ± 0.09; r MEA = 0.95 ± 0.09). SEC-ESI-MS proved the presence of both the initiation fragment and SG1 as chain ends of the polymers. The cloud point temperature of the copolymers increased from 5 °C and 60 °C with increasing HEA content from 0% to 70% and they are discussed in relation to both monomer and end-group structure. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry