Synthesis and use of itaconic esters in emulsion polymerization

This thesis presents the synthesis of novel aqueous dispersions from renewable resources by means of radical emulsion polymerization. The substitution of polymeric materials from limited petrochemical resources through renewable materials presents the necessary challenge. These aqueous dispersions have potential applications as binders in paints and coatings, water-based adhesives, in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. One of the suitable starting material is the biotechnological mass product itaconic acid, which is structurally similar to acrylic and methacrylic acid. To obtain suitable monomers for emulsion polymerization itaconates are synthesized by means of esterification using itaconic acid or itaconic anhydride and the appropriate fatty alcohol as starting materials. Furthermore new monomers based on monosaccharides and itaconic acid are described. The hydrophobic sugar methacrylate is synthesized in a one-step reaction starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose. Sugar latexes are obtained by means of batch emulsion polymerization of the sugar methacrylate and fatty alcohol itaconates. Another series of new latexes based on the sugar methacrylate and commercially available fatty alcohol acrylates are also specified. The copolymerization behavior of itaconates with the rigid sugar methacrylate is studied in the conventional emulsion polymerization and also in miniemulsion. The colloidal and rheological properties of the latexes are investigated. Also the thermal, optical and molecular properties of the precipitated polymers are demonstrated. The polymerization conditions are varied and the relations between them and polymer and latex properties are determined. The influence of the aliphatic structure of fatty alcohol itaconates either on the polymerization kinetics or on the latex properties is disscused. Additionally this book gives an overview of the research work concerning the polymerization of the sugar methacrylate in emulsion.