Preparation of Highly Branched Graft Copolymers by Chain Transfer Reaction

Abstract

Aromatic nitro compounds act as inhibitors or retarders in the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. By the reaction of the aromatic nitro compounds with growing polymer radicals, the formation of addition products has been established between growing polymer radicals and the oxygen atoms of the nitro groups (1). Accordingly, a vinyl monomer is polymerized with a radical initiator in the presence of a polymer with pendant aromatic nitro groups, then a graft copolymer is obtained through the chain transfer reaction of growing polymer radicals to the aromatic nitro groups.