Abstract
The synthesis, characteristic ratio Cx and glass transition temperature (Tg) of poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate) (PTHFA) and of poly(2-ethylbutyl acrylate) (P2EBA) are reported. P2EBA has slightly lower flexibility (Cx = 9.2) than PTHFA (Cx = 8.6), mainly because of the higher bulkiness of its side group and the closer proximity to the main chain. The Cx results compared with the corresponding polymethacrylates show an increase in flexibility due to the absence of the α-methyl group. Comparison with poly(methyl acrylate) clearly shows the influence of the bulkiness of the side group on the chain flexibility. The lower Tg of P2EBA than that of PTHFA may be explained by the higher flexibility of the 2-ethylbutyl side group. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.