Synthesis and Characterization of Acrylate Polymers with Flexible Spacers and Cholesteryl Moiety

R. C. Tandel

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, M.S.University of Baroda, Vadodara - 390 002 (India)

The Monomers were synthesized by condensing hydroxyl alkylene acrylates with cholesteryl chloroformate having two and six methylene spacers. These monomers were purified and were polymerized. Solution polymerization technique was used. N,N-azo bis-isobutyronitrile was used as an initiator. Polymerization was carried out in dimethyl formamide at 80 oC in nitrogen atmosphere for 48 hours. The monomers and polymers were characterized by IR and elemental analysis. Polymers were further evaluated by using viscosity, TGA and DSC study. The polymers exhibit a mesophase on heating as well as on cooling but monomer (M-1) exhibits only monotropic phases. The increase in the length of flexible chain has decreased the mesomorphic temperatures. Both the polymers exhibit the texture similar to smectic C phases. polymers exhibit smectic *C phase on cooling upto room temperature indicating high super cooling tendency.

Acrylate polymerization; esterification; Viscosity, TGA; mesomorphic etc