The synthesis of copolymer–Cu coordinates and its catalysis to methyl methacrylate

The copolymerization of methacrylic acid, 2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl ester (DM), and allythiourea (AT) was studied under microwave, and the copolymer–copper coordinates Cu‐P(DM‐Co‐AT) was synthesized by the coordination between Cu2+ and the copolymer. IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electronic spin resonance were used to analyze the structure of Cu‐P(DM‐Co‐AT). The results showed that the inherent viscosity of the copolymer obtained by microwave irradiation can be the maximum of 37.75 ml/g, and the productive rate can be 92%. The obtained Cu‐P(DM‐Co‐AT) can heterogeneously catalyze the polymerization of methyl methacrylate at room temperature. The maximal molecular weight of poly(methyl methacrylate) was 1,400,000. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2072–2075, 2005