PMMA grafting

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Negociateur - 03 May 2005 08:10 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm actually looking for a way to graft chemically a thin layer of a
compound which will finally comprise at least one available amine
function on a PMMA substrate, the final goal being to make an epoxy
reaction on the surface of the substrate. I thought of a
transesterification, but my chemistry isn't that good, so I don't know
if such a reaction is feasable at 25?C with a good yield on PMMA.
Does the idea sound good ?
Any suggestion about what can be done ?

CH3 CH3
| |
-(CH2 - C)n - + NH2 - R - OH -> - (CH2 - C)n - + CH3OH
| |
CO(OCH3) CO(O-R-NH2)

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Gabriel Tojo - 13 May 2005 08:20 GMT

I suppose that PMMA means polymethyl-methacrylate. Err...many of us are
not very familiar with polymer abbreviations.

This plastic contains plenty of methyl esters on the surface. I would
try the formation of an amide linkage rather than an ester.

Ethylenediamine, that is H2N-CH2-CH2-NH2, could work fine.

I would try just plain neat ethylenediamine on the surface of the
plastic. If it fails, I would try a solution in methanol containing a
catalytic amount of a mild base like NaCN.

There is the risk of over-reaction. In that case I would try a (dilute)
solution of ethylenediamine in an organic solvent like MeOH, CH2Cl2 or
any other.

Any other diamine like 1,3-diaminopropane or 1,4-diaminobutane could
also work, providing longer linkers.

Hope it helps,

Best regards.

Gabriel Tojo

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Natural Science Forum / Chemistry / Organic Synthesis / May 2005

PMMA grafting