Abstract

The copolymerization of 1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPhA) as electrophilic monomer and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethyleneiminea as nucleophilic monomer in acetonitrile without initiator was investigated. The copolymers show low incorporation of THPhA in the main chain and preferential incorporation in the side chain by esterification reaction of the hydroxymethyl group. On the basis of the spectroscopic data a copolymer structure is proposed.