Linear polymers and copolymers containing methylol ether groups

摘要

Linear polymers or copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing the group where R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl radical and R2 an alkyl radical are made by polymerizing the monomer alone or with one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers in neutral or alkaline media at a temperature below 60 DEG C. Suitable monomers are the alkyl ethers of the methylol compounds of sorbic acid amide, the diamides of muconic acid and fumaric acid, acrylamide and methacrylamide, e.g. N-methylolmethylether-acrylamide and methacrylamide, and the alkyl ethers of the methylol compounds of unsaturated urethanes such as allyl urethane. Polymerization is preferably effected in aqueous emulsion in the presence of a catalyst, e.g. a redox system, and if desired a chain-terminator. Other monomers mentioned are butadiene, styrene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrylates, methacrylates, acrylic and methacrylic acid amides, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, organic vinyl esters and mixtures. The emulsifier may be the sodium salt of the sulphonic acid of long-chain paraffins having 10-20 carbon atoms in the molecule and the catalyst potassium persulphate mixed with formaldehyde or triethanolamine. The polymers may be cross-linked (1) by heating to 100-200 DEG C. in the presence, if desired, of organic or inorganic acids such as sulphuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, trichloracetic, and p-toluenesulphonic acid, or (2) by reacting the polymers with water-soluble condensates of phenols, ureas, dicyandiamides or sulphonamides with aldehydes such as formaldehyde. The polymers may be made into moulded articles, or used as coatings or electrical insulation. Specification 780,284, [Group IV (b)], is referred to.