Synthesis of low molecular weight poly(<i>N</i>‐acryloylmorpholine) end‐functionalized with primary amino groups, and its use as macromonomer for the preparation of poly(amidoamines)

Abstract

Abstract Amphiphilic oligomers of poly( N ‐acryloylmorpholine) terminated at one end by primary amino groups have been prepared by free radical polymerization of the corresponding monomer, N ‐acryloylmorpholine, in the presence of cysteamine (2‐mercaptoethylamine) as chain‐transfer agent. The polymerization reaction was performed in aqueous media at acidic pH, in order to avoid any hydrogen‐transfer addition reaction the the acrylic double bonds by the SH or NH 2 groups present in cysteamine. The chain‐transfer constant of cysteamine towards N ‐acryloylmorpholine, under the conditions we used, was found to be very close to 1. The aminated poly( N ‐acryloylmorpholine) oligomers were found to behave as true macromonomers in polyaddition reactions with a diacrylamide, leading to new poly(amidoamines) carrying poly( N ‐acryloylmorpholine) chains as side substituents.