Syndiotactic-Specific Radical Polymerization of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide in the Presence of Tartrates : A Proposed Mechanism for the Polymerization

Radical polymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) was investigated in the presence of tartrates, such as diethyl L-tartrate, diisopropyl L-tartrate, and di-n-butyl L-tartrate, in toluene at low temperatures. Syndiotactic polymers were obtained in the presence of tartrates, whereas isotactic polymers were obtained in the absence of tartrates. The syndiotactic-specificity increased with increasing amount of tartrates and with decreasing polymerization temperature. NMR analysis suggested that DMAAm and tartrates formed a 1:1 complex through double hydrogen bonding. A mechanism for the syndiotactic-specific radical polymerization of DMAAm is proposed.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Hirano, T., Masuda, S., Nasu, S., Ute, K. and Sato, T. (2009), Syndiotactic‐specific radical polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide in the presence of tartrates: A proposed mechanism for the polymerization. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem., 47: 1192-1203., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/pola.23226. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.