METHOD OF PREPARING MONOMERS

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of preparing certain monomers for use in reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisations, particularly glycerol methacrylate monomers. The invention forms glyceryl esters of (meth)acrylate-based monomers via aqueous hydrolysis of corresponding glycidyl esters via epoxide ring opening at a pH of 4 or greater. The glyceryl ester products may be provided as an aqueous solution which can be used directly in further reactions, especially RAFT polymerisations.