Polymethacrylates containing indanyl groups - I. Poly(5-indanyl methacrylate). Synthesis, conformational and viscometric behaviour in dilute solution

The synthesis and dilute solution behaviour of poly(5-indanyl methacrylate) (P5-IM) is studied in THF, toluene and butanone at 298 K, by intrinsic viscosity, light scattering measurements and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The Kuhn-Mark-Houwink-Sakurada (KMHS) relationships were established in all the solvents studied. The flexibility factors σ and C_∞ and the thermodynamic parameters A₂ and B were calculated using Zimm plots and the Stockmayer-Fixman equation, respectively. The A₂ and the B values are indicative of the presence of the excluded volume effect. The results obtained about the rigidity factors are compared with those previously found for other aromatic poly(methacrylates) and discussed in terms of the influence of the volume and interactions of the lateral chains.