GB720506A - Improvements in or relating to interpolymers - Google Patents

Abstract

Interpolymers are prepared by polymerizing a mixture of monomeric materials comprising from 35 to 90 per cent by weight of vinyl chloride, from 5 to 65 per cent by weight of an alkyl ester of acrylic acid and from 0.2 to 25 per cent by weight of an ester of the formula <FORM:0720506/IV (a)/1> wherein X is an ester linkage and R is a divalent saturated aliphatic radical, or from 0.2 to 25 per cent by weight of a hydroxy-alkyl ester of acrylic acid, said mixture containing at least 90 per cent by weight of said alkyl ester of acrylic acid, said vinyl chloride and said ester of given formula or said hydroxy-alkyl ester of acrylic acid, the polymerization being carried out under acidic conditions when an ester of the above formula is used. The alkyl acrylate may be methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, n-amyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, isohexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, capryl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 6-methyl-heptyl, n-nonyl, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl, n-decyl or lauryl acrylate. The ester of the given formula may be the monovinyl ester of malonic, chloro- or bromo-malonic, hydroxy-malonic, dihydroxy-malonic, isosuccinic, ethyl malonic; succinic, malic, bromo-succinic, tartaric, ethyl succinic, citramalic, acetoxy-succinic, glutaric, alpha-hydroxy - glutaric, adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic, sebacic, brassylic or thapsic acid, or may be acryloxyacetic acid, beta-acryloxy propionic acid or 4-carboxy-butyl acrylate. The hydroxy-alkyl ester of acrylic acid may be 2-hydroxyethyl, 1-chloro-2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxy - propyl, glyceryl, 2 - methoxy - 3 - hydroxy - propyl, 2 - hydroxy - butyl, 3 - hydroxy - butyl, 3,4 - dihydroxy - butyl, 2 - methoxy, 3,4 - dihydroxy - butyl, 5 - hydroxy - amyl, 6 - hydroxy - hexyl, 2 - ethyl - 6 - hydroxy - hexyl, 7 - hydroxy - heptyl, 1 - methyl - 7 - hydroxy - heptyl, 8 - hydroxy - octyl, 3,5,5 - trimethyl - 6 - hydroxy - hexyl or 10 - hydroxy - decyl acrylate. Other monomers such as vinylidene chloride, vinyl acetate, vinyl benzoate, diethyl fumarate, acrylonitrile, styrene and methyl or ethyl acrylate may be utilized to the extent of 10 per cent by weight of the monomer mixture. Polymerization may be effected in an aqueous medium at pH 4.0 to 7.0. Emulsifiers referred to are the hymolal sulphates and sulphonates, such as the sodium salt of a sulphonated paraffin oil, salts of organic bases containing long carbon chains and polyether alcohols. Granular polymers may be obtained by polymerizing in an aqueous medium containing a colloidal suspension agent such as gelatin, bentonite clay, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid and water-soluble phenolaldehyde and urea-aldehyde condensation products. The reaction may be catalysed by actinic radiation, or a peroxygen compound such as hydrogen, benzoyl, o,o1-dichlorobenzoyl, caproyl, caprylyl, and polygonyl peroxides, cumene, tertiary butyl and 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl hydroperoxides, tertiary butyl diperphthalate, tertiary butyl perbenzoate, sodium, potassium and ammonium persulphates, sodium peracetate and sodium percarbonate. The interpolymers of the invention are suitable for the production of films, sheets and coatings.