Preparation and homopolymerization of 2-arylazo-5-dimethylaminobenzyl acrylates and methacrylates

2-Arylazo-5-dimethylaminobenzyl alcohols (1) were prepared and used for the preparation of 2-arylazo-5-dimethylaminobenzyl acrylates (2) and methacrylates (3); these compounds were characterized by melting points, IR and ¹H NMR spectra. The coloured compounds 2 and 3 were subjected to radical homopolymerization in solution initiated with AIBN at 70°C, and [η], IR and ¹H NMR spectra of the polymers were determined. Alternatively, the coloured polymer with 2-(2-chlorophenylazo)-5-dimethylaminobenzyl methacrylate monomeric units was prepared by coupling of the copolymer of 3-dimethylaminobenzyl methacrylate and styrene with 1-chlorobenzenediazonium chloride.