A lactide-functionalized polymer is synthesized by polymerizing a monomer capable of undergoing radical polymerization (e.g., styrenic, vinylic, acrylic, etc.) using a brominated lactide initiator via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In some embodiments of the present invention, the brominated lactide initiator is 3-bromo-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione prepared by reacting lactide with N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of benzoyl peroxide.

A lactide-functionalized polymer is synthesized by polymerizing a monomer capable of undergoing radical polymerization (e.g., styrenic, vinylic, acrylic, etc.) using a brominated lactide initiator via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In some embodiments of the present invention, the brominated lactide initiator is 3-bromo-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione prepared by reacting lactide with N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of benzoyl peroxide.

An acrylic rubber contains (a) methyl methacrylate units, (b) ethyl acrylate units, (c) n-butyl acrylate units, (d) 2-methoxyethyl acrylate units, and (e) cross-linking site monomer units, in which the acrylic rubber contains 10 to 20% by weight of (a) the methyl methacrylate units, 15% by weight or less of (b) the ethyl acrylate units, 60 to 80% by weight of (c) the n-butyl acrylate units, 10 to 30% by weight of (d) the 2-methoxyethyl acrylate units, and 0.5 to 5% by weight of (e) the cross-linking site monomer units.

An acrylic rubber contains (a) methyl methacrylate units, (b) ethyl acrylate units, (c) n-butyl acrylate units, (d) 2-methoxyethyl acrylate units, and (e) cross-linking site monomer units, in which the acrylic rubber contains 10 to 20% by weight of (a) the methyl methacrylate units, 15% by weight or less of (b) the ethyl acrylate units, 60 to 80% by weight of (c) the n-butyl acrylate units, 10 to 30% by weight of (d) the 2-methoxyethyl acrylate units, and 0.5 to 5% by weight of (e) the cross-linking site monomer units.