Methacrylic anhydride

Methacrylic anhydride is an organic compound derived from methacrylic acid, which belongs to the class of acrylic acids. It is primarily employed as a monomer in the production of polymers, particularly poly(methacrylic acid) and its copolymers. These polymers find applications in a wide range of industries, including bio-renewable resins, pH-sensitive hydrogels, thermosets, coatings, adhesives, and plastics, due to their excellent chemical and thermal stability. In the polymerization of methacrylic anhydride, the most common inhibitor used is Topanol A. It is typically added in small quantities (2,000 ppm) to hinder undesirable side reactions during the polymerization, ensuring controlled and high-quality polymer formation.

Methacrylic anhydride can be used as a starting material to synthesize:

• Methacrylated chondroitin sulfate pH-sensitive hydrogels by copolymerization reaction. These hydrogels can be used in drug delivery systems.
• High-performance lignin-based thermosets.
• Gel polymer electrolyte, which is then integrated with the cathode to form high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Methacrylic anhydride can be also used as a precursor to synthesize bio-renewable resins for composite applications. For example, it can be used to prepare soybean oil and a eugenol-based resin system. This resin possesses high thermal stability, and good mechanical properties, which makes it a suitable matrix for the pultrusion process.