2-Phenylethyl methacrylate

2-Phenylethyl methacrylate serves as a comonomer in free radical copolymerization with 2-phenylethyl acrylate in solution, yielding PEA/PEMA copolymers of varying composition that are studied as soft intraocular lens materials[1]. In ethanolic RAFT dispersion polymerization with poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] macro-CTAs, 2-phenylethyl methacrylate acts as a comonomer for producing block copolymer nanoparticles[2].

2-Phenylethyl methacrylate finds use in perfume compositions, including soap perfumeswhere it may lend warmth and pleasant “dried-leaf” notes to a Rose or an Oriental type fragrance. It blends well with the Methylionones, Cedarwood products, Jasmin materials, Sandalwood notes, etc. and it can be used in relatively large amounts.

2-Phenylethyl methacrylate is prepared by azeotropic esterification of Phenylethylalcohol with 2-Methylpropenoic acid.

[1] Lee, H., Tae, G., Kim, Y. H. (2008). A study on the copolymerization kinetics of phenylethyl acrylate and phenylethyl methacrylate. Macromolecular Research, 16(7), 614–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03218569
[2] Pei, Y., Dharsana, N. C., Lowe, A. (2015). Ethanolic RAFT Dispersion Polymerization of 2-(Naphthalen-2-yloxy)ethyl Methacrylate and 2-Phenoxyethyl Methacrylate with Poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] Macro-Chain Transfer Agents. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 4 1, 939–945. https://doi.org/10.1071/CH14490