synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of important heterocyclic acrylic copolymers

The acrylate monomer, 7-acryloyloxy-4-methyl coumarin (AMC) has been synthesized by reacting 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin, with acryloyl chloride in the presence of NaOH at 0–5°C. Copolymers of 7-acryloyloxy-4-methyl coumarin (AMC) with vinyl acetate (VAc) were synthesized in DMF (dimethyl formamide) solution at 70±1°C using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator with different monomer-to-monomer ratios in the feed. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The copolymer composition was evaluated by 1H-NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance) and was further used to determine reactivity ratios. The monomer reactivity ratios for AMC (M1)-VAc (M2) pair were determined by the application of conventional linearization methods such as Fineman-Ross (r1 = 0.6924; r2 = 0.6431), Kelen-Tüdõs (r1 = 0.6776; r2 = 0.6374) and extended Kelen-Tüdõs (r1 = 0.6657; r2 = 0.6256). Thermo gravimetric analysis showed that thermal decomposition of the copolymers occurred in single stage in the temperature range of 263–458°C. The molecular weights of the polymers were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The homo and copolymers were tested for their antimicrobial properties against selected microorganisms.