Richard W. Blevins

Alternating Copolymerization of 3,4-Epoxy-1-Butene and Derivatives with Maleic Anhydride

Abstract 3,4-Epoxy-1-butene (I), prepared by the selective oxidation of butadiene, is an unusual difunctional monomer containing polymerizable vinyl and epoxy groups. As expected, free radical homopolymerization of I and its cyclic ketal derivatives was found to be very sluggish, as expected, for the allylic monomer structures. However, I was found to form alternating copolymers with maleic anhydride with both 1,2- and 1,5- enchainment observed. The structures of the alternating copolymers were observed to be solvent dependent with the in situ formation of cyclic ketals and their incorporation into the copolymers in polymerizations done in ketone solvents. Various cyclic ketal monomers derived from I readily formed alternating copoymers with maleic anhydride. Thermally activated self-crosslinking of these resins was observed.

Negative-Working E-Beam Copolymers

Copolymers of allyl methacrylate and propargyl methacrylate have very high speed as electron-beam and x-ray resists. They produce polymers of a structural complexity not often encountered in addition polymerization. The structural variety available in allyl methacrylate polymers gives them unusual properties, which consequently enhance their microlithographic performance.