Lewis Acid-Mediated Copolymerization of Methyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate with 1-Alkenes

The addition of the Lewis acid, Sc(OTf)3, to 2,2‘-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN)-initiated copolymerizations of both methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 1-alkenes results in increased reaction rate and increased incorporation of the latter monomer into the polymer backbone. As little as 4 mol % of the Lewis acid is effective in forming a nearly alternating copolymer of MA and ethene at 67% MA conversion. This procedure allows for the control of copolymer composition independent of the starting monomer feed ratio.