Synthesis of ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer containing fungicides and evaluation of their effect for wood decay resistance

The aim of the present study was to combat wood decay based on the approach controlled-release biocides from polymers. The possibility of introducing polymer-bonded fungicides into the cell lumens was investigated. The synthesis of ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer con­ taining pentachlorophenol (penta) and 8-hydroxy quino­ line (8HQ) in N, N dimethyl formamide is described. It was demonstrated that the penta-bonded acrylate is a poly(ethylene co-dipentachlorophenyl diacrylate), which has a disubstituted pentachlorophenyl group linked through two acrylate ester bonds. The reaction of ethyl­ ene maleic anhydride copolymer with 8-hydroxy quino­ line leads to products containing 44.8% poly(ethylene co-8-hydroxy quinolinyl acrylate) and 55.2% of unreac­ ted poly(ethylene co-maleic anhydride). Wood impreg­ nated with the polymers described prevented decay by a brownand white-rot fungus, even after water leaching. Wood treated with the fungicide pentachlorophenol (pen­ ta) alone prevented only decay by a brown-rot fungus. An advantage is that high loading of penta in polymer can be achieved. Moreover, there is a slow-release effect on the active agent due to hydrolysis of ester bonds. The decay resistance of wood treated with poly(ethylene co­ 8-quinolinyl acrylate) was similar to that of wood impreg­ nated with 8-hydroxy quinoline.