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Ethyleneglycol Dimethacrylate: A Cross-linking Monomer for Polymer Synthesis and Modification

2023/5/23

Ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) is a diester formed by condensation of two equivalents of methacrylic acid and one equivalent of ethylene glycol. It has a molecular formula of C10H14O4 and a molecular weight of 198.22 g/mol. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a boiling point of 98-100 °C/5 mmHg and a vapor pressure of <0.1 mmHg at 21.1 °C. It has a low viscosity and a high reactivity of methacrylates. It contains monomethyl ether hydroquinone (MEHQ) as an inhibitor to prevent unwanted polymerization during storage.

EGDMA can be used as a cross-linking monomer in various polymerization methods such as free radical polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The resulting polymers have a high degree of cross-linking and a high mechanical strength. They can be used for applications in optical materials, optoelectronics, drug delivery systems, sorbents, coatings, adhesives, and sealants.

EGDMA can also be used as a modifier of other (meth)acrylate resins to improve their properties such as water resistance, abrasion resistance, weatherability, and flexibility. For example, EGDMA can be blended with epoxy resins to reduce their viscosity and enhance their toughness. EGDMA can also be copolymerized with other monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, butadiene, unsaturated polyesters and drying oils to obtain copolymers with different characteristics.

EGDMA is a versatile monomer that can be used to create polymers with various applications in different fields. It is an important building block for the synthesis and modification of cross-linked materials that have superior performance and functionality.