Polymers and copolymers from fatty acid-based monomers

Fatty acid vinyl esters (FAVE) were synthesized via a transition-metal catalyzed transvinylation reaction between vinyl acetate (VAc) and oleic or linoleic acid. The ensuing vinyl monomers were characterized by FT-IR, GC–MS, 1H- and 13C NMR and were submitted to both free radical homopolymerization and copolymerization with VAc using benzoyl peroxide as the initiator. The corresponding polymers were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The variation of the type/amount of FAVE monomers and the quantity of radical initiator yielded VAc copolymers with Mn in the range of 1000–3000 and Tg values of −5 to 16 °C. Finally, the copolymers were tested in oxidative drying through the unsaturations borne by their fatty acid chains and the results suggested that they can constitute effective curing systems for such applications as paints, varnishes and other coating processes.