ABSTRACT:Soluble copolymers of trimethyl (4-(N-maleimido) phenoxy) silane (TMMS) with styrene-series monomers were synthesized by radical polymerization in toluene at 70 C using 2, 2 0 -azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)as initiator. The comonomer reactivity ratios were calculated by the conventional Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdos methods and a nonlinear least-squares Tidwell-Mortimer method. The glass transition temperatures (T g s) and thermal degradation of copolymers were determined by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) methods, respectively. The comonomer reactivity ratio of TMMS with styrene was changed from a alternating to middle type between alternating and ideal copolymerization for the side-chain of TMMS and the deactivators of styrene. The curves of T g s versus the different compositions of the above synthesized styrene-maleimide copolymers matched the modified Johnston's equation as increasing the affect of weight ratio on alternating-segment, and exhibited an S-shaped curve of deviation in comparison with the Fox's equation. The maleimide-segments and styrene-segments within these copolymers were completely compatible and the thermal stability and flame retardancy of polystyrene could be enhanced simultaneously via the introduction of silicon-containing maleimide.