Polymer–Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Characterization of Poly (4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenylacrylate ) and Its Metal Chelates S. THAMIZHARASI, 1 A. VENKATA RAMI REDDY, 2 S. BALASUBRAMANIAN 1 1 Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Madras 600 020, India 2 CSMCRI, Bhavnagar, India Received 9 January 1997; accepted 7 July 1997 ABSTRACT: 4-Acetyl-3-hydroxyphenylacrylate ( AHAH ) was synthesized and polymer- ized in 2-butanone using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Poly ( 4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenyl- acrylate ) ( PAHAH ) was characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Cu(II) and Ni(II) chelates of PAHAH were synthesized. The diffuse reflectance spectra and magnetic moments of the polychelates show distorted planar and octahedral structures for poly [ Ni ( AHA ) 2 ] and poly[Cu(AHA) 2 (OH 2 ) 2 ] complexes, respectively. The thermal properties of the polychelates are also discussed.  1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 177–182, 1998 Key words: poly ( 4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenylacrylate ) ; polymer complexes; magnetic moments; electronic spectra INTRODUCTION ymer has been reported to be a good catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. 7 The polymer chelates provide a unique struc- The synthesis and study of metal-containing poly- mers are important, as these systems offer several tural environment for complexation. 8,9 The poly- meric chelates functionalized by the multidentate advantages over unbound metal complexes and metal salts in a variety of chemical reactions. 1 ligand are often used for this purpose. In this arti- cle the synthesis, characterization, and thermal Many of them behave with enhanced efficiency when they are anchored to the polymer backbone. properties of poly ( 4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenylacry- late) (PAHAH) and its metal complexes with The catalytic activity of such systems has been well documented. 2–5 The macromolecular chelates Cu(II) and Ni(II) are reported. with Rh ( III ) were found to be good hydrogenation catalysts for olefins and some acid derivatives. 4,5 The platinum group metal complexes have been EXPERIMENTAL extensively employed as catalysts. Similarly, the Ru(II) complex attached to a polymer behaves as Materials a photosensitizer in the photochemical reduction 2-Butanone, N,N dimethyl formamide, tetrahy- of water. 6 The ferric salen complex anchored to a drofuran, and chloroform were distilled before chloromethylated divinylbenzene – styrene copol- use. Benzoyl peroxide was recrystallized from chloroform – methanol mixture. 2,4-Dihydroxy Correspondence to: S. Balasubramanian, Central Leather acetophenone was recrystallized from ethanol. Research Institute, Adyar, Madras – 600 020, India. Acryloyl chloride was prepared according to Stem- Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 67, 177 – 182 ( 1998 )  1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. CCC 0021-8995/98 / 010177-06 pel, Cross, and Mariella. 10 177 8EF6 4654 / 8ef6$$4654 10-23-97 18:22:14 polaa W: Poly Applied