“…The monomers, vinyl acetate (Aldrich, USA, 99%), glycidyl methacrylate (Aldrich, USA, 97%), acrylonitrile (Aldrich, USA, 99%), methyl methacrylate (Aldrich, USA, 99%), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (Aldrich, USA, 97%), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (Aldrich, USA, 97%), and 4‐hydroxybutyl methacrylate (Aldrich, USA, 94%) were passed through activated alumina, dried for 24 h over calcium hydride, and finally distilled under reduced pressure before use and stored in refrigerator. 4‐(4‐vinylphenyl)pyridine (synthesized in our laboratory) and 6‐vinylpyridine‐3‐carbonitrile (synthesized in our laboratory) were used without further purification. 2,2′‐Azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane]dihydrochloride (VA‐044) was purchased from Wako Inc. Japan and recrystallized from methanol before use, and potassium persulfate (Aldrich, USA, 99.99%) was used as received.…”