Synthesis and characterization of some organosilicon derivatives of poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with cubane as a cross-linking agent

Some silyl ether derivatives of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were prepared. The Et3Si, Ph3Si and Me3Si groups together with cubane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (CDA) were covalently linked with HEMA. The silyl-linked HEMA are abbreviated as TETMA, TPhMA and TMEMA, respectively. CDA linked to two HEMA groups is the cross-linking agent (CA). Free radical copolymerization and cross-linking copolymerization of the resulting monomers with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with the various ratios of CA as cross-linking agent, were carried out using AIBN as initiator at the temperature ranges 60–70 °C. The cross-linking copolymers were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the network polymers was determined calorimetrically. The Tg of network polymers increases with increase of cross-linking degree. All monomers and polymers were identified by spectroscopic methods. These silyl derivatives modified methacrylate polymer properties.