Synthesis and characterization of benzoylated syndiotactic polystyrene

Benzoylated syndiotactic polystyrene, a functional polymer bearing benzophenone(BP) moiety, has been synthesized in a heterogeneous process by using carbon disulfide as the dispersing medium, and benzoyl chloride and anhydrous aluminum chloride as benzoylating agent and catalyst, respectively. The benzoylation reaction can be well controlled and the resultant polymer was characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The incorporation of benzoyl groups into syndiotactic polystyrene was found to have a profound effect on the thermal properties of these new materials. The melting point and the degree of crystallinity decreased by the presence of benzoyl groups, while the glass transition temperature increased.