α-(Aminomethyl)acrylate: polymerization and spontaneous post-polymerization modification of β-amino acid ester for a pH/temperature-responsive material†
Abstract
Ethyl α-(aminomethyl)acrylate, a β-amino acid ester carrying a conjugated vinylidene group at the α-position, was radically polymerized. The polymerization was found to involve subsequent ester–amide exchange reaction between the amino pendants of the polymer and an ester group of the monomer, affording acrylamide-bearing units in 11–15% contents. The obtained polymer exhibited pH/temperature responsiveness in aqueous media.