Preparation, Characterization, and Polymerization of New Glycidyl Methacrylate Copolymer Containing 2- Pyridinecarbaldehyde Oxime Group

2,3-Epoxypropyl methacrylate (or glycidyl methacrylate = GMA) is a fascinating monomer exhibiting polymerizable methacrylic unsaturation and an oxirane function of potentialreactivity. This monomer has been homopolymerized and copolymerized by means of free-radical initiators (organicperoxides or azo-catalysts) known to selectively attack methacrylic double bonds. The copolymers based on the potential class of functional polymers. Free-radical randomcopolymerizations of GMA with conventional monomers have been widely investigated for their potential applications [1,2].The intrest in these copolymers is largely due to the ability of the pendant epoxy group to enter into a large number of chemical reactions [3]. Oxime and oxime ethers are important intermediates in organic synthesis. O- and N-Alkylated products were obtained by reaction of pyridine-2-, -3-, and -4-carbaldehyde oximes with epoxy compounds (1-chloro-2,3- epoxypropane, and 1-bromo-2,3-epoxypropane) in the presence of a base and under condition of phase-transfer catalysis [4]. In this work we describe the synthesis and properties of a new glycidyl methacrylate polymer modifiedwith 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde oxime. The modified polymer showed metal uptake property toward cations such as Hg(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), and Co(II). This feature can find some applications in waste water treatment.