Hydrophilic polymers, pressure sensitive adhesives and coatings

A method for the preparation of gel-free homopolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate substantially in the absence of a chain transfer agent comprising:

• introducing monomeric 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate containing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate impurities in the range of about 0.05 to 0.1% by weight into a solution of water and alcohol;
• and
• polymerizing the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to form a polymerization mixture.

A method for the preparation of a gel-free homopolymer of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate substantially in the absence of a chain transfer agent comprising:

• introducing monomeric 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate solution of water and alcohol;
• and
• polymerizing the 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate to form a polymerization mixture.

A method for the preparation of gel-free copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate substantially in the absence of a chain transfer agent comprising:

• introducing monomeric 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate containing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate impurities in the range of about 0.05 to 0.1% by weight with monomeric 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate into an alcohol;
• and
• copolymerizing the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate to form a polymerization mixture.

A method for the preparation of a gel-free homopolymer of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate substantially in the absence of a chain transfer agent comprising:

• introducing monomeric 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate into alcohol;
• and polymerizing the 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate to form a polymerization mixture.