A new methacrylate copolymer that includes chalcone as a side group, poly(4-methacryloyloxyphenyl-4'-methoxystyrylketone-co-styrene) was synthesized by free radical copolymerization. FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the homopolymers and copolymers. The copolymerizations were carried out to high conversions. Copolymer compositions were established by 1H NMR spectra analysis. The monomer reactivity ratios for copolymer system were determined by the linearized Kelen Tudos, and Extended Kelen Tudos methods and a non-linear least squares method. The molecular weights and polydispersity index of copolymers were measured by using the gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The effect of copolymer compositions on their thermal behavior were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis methods. The optical properties of the resulting copolymer were also investigated.

Keywords: copolymerization; chalcone; monomer reactivity ratio; non-linear least squares; thermal property.