Synthesis and characterization of bromo-functional acrylate polymers

Acrylates are among the most widely utilized monomers in industrial polymer chemistry, serving as key components in coatings, adhesives, and high-performance polymer matrices. Brominated compounds are well recognized for their ability to inhibit or retard flame propagation in organic materials; moreover, the C-Br bond serves as a versatile reactive handle for post-synthetic modification via nucleophilic substitution, enabling further functional diversification of the polymer structure. In this study, a series of novel bromo-functional acrylate polymers were synthesized and systematically characterized. The synthetic approach involved the conversion of cyclohexene to a brominated acrylate monomer via reaction with excess acrylic acid and N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), followed by free-radical polymerization initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). Subsequently, the resulting polymers were partially functionalized with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) through quaternization, yielding partially DABCO-functionalized polymers. Additionally, the bromo-bearing polymers were reacted with sodium azide to introduce pendant azide (-N₃) groups, enabling further structural modification through click-chemistry pathways. Both modification routes resulted in partial conversion of the bromine functionalities. The incorporation of bromine functionalities and their subsequent chemical transformations provide a versatile platform for the preparation of functional polymer derivatives. These materials may be further explored in future studies for applications such as antimicrobial coatings, ion-exchange membranes, and flame-retardant materials.