Initiated CVD of Tertiary Amine-Containing Glycidyl Methacrylate Copolymer Thin Films for Low Temperature Aqueous Chemical Functionalization†

This manuscript reports on the synthesis of copolymer films of glycidyl methacrylate with diethylaminoethyl methacrylate by initiated (i)CVD. The purpose of the incorporation of tertiary amine functionality in the copolymer film is to accelerate the rate of the nucleophilic ring-opening reaction of the epoxide group under benign conditions. It is found that tertiary amine functionality in the poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) film significantly increases the rate and degree of the ring-opening reactions. After 2 h of reaction at room temperature, 72% of the epoxy groups are consumed, while the conversion under similar conditions is negligible for the PGMA film.