Synthesis and Characterization of Copolymer of Styrene / Maleic Acid- Dicyclopentadiene Monoester

Dicyclopentadiene-maleic acid monoester (DCPDMA) was synthesized and was used as monomer to synthesize the styrene /DCPDMA copolymer (poly-St / DCPDMA) by solution polymerization. Reaction conditions including esterification temperature, reaction time, and molar ratio of starting materials, polymerization temperature and time were investigated and optimized. DCPDMA and poly-St / DCPDMA were obtained in 93% and 87% yields respectively under the optimal conditions. The synthesized DCPDMA and copolymer (poly-St / DCPDMA) were characterized by MS and IR. Gel Permission Chromatography (GPC) showed that the DCPDMA has average molecular weight of 61200 g/mol and polydispersity index ( Đ ) of 1.3.