A New Statistical Point Of View To Choose A Better Linear Model For Reactivity And Microstructure Analysis In HEMA/furfuryl Acrylate Copolymerization Process

Copolymers of 2–hydroxyethyl methacrylate (E) and furfuryl acrylate (A) were prepared by free radical polymerization in toluene at 80°C using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Copolymers were analyzed by 1H–NMR in order to calculate the monomer composition in the copolymer. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by four linear methods, Fineman–Röss, r1 = 1.33/r2 = 0.96; Fineman–Röss inverted, r1 = 1.27/r2 = 0.92; Kelen–Tüdos, r1 = 1.3/r2 = 0.96 and Kelen–Tüdos extended, r1 = 0.9982/r2 = 1.0004. Akaike Information Criterion was used to select the best r1–r2 pair of values. Dyads and triads confirm the average chain and copolymers type and lead to use a mathematical relationship to calculate a new r1–r2 par of values. The new values were r1 = 1.254/r2 = 1.08 from the dyads and r1 = 1.26/r2 = 1.07 from the triads. Other microstructure parameters such as run number (RN = 46.48, X = 1, one A units triads) and Q–e values for A, not reported before (e2 = 0.10 and Q2 = 1.68) were calculate