X-RAY CONTRAST POLYMERS OF P-STYRYLDI(P-TOLYL)BISMUTH - SYNTHESIS ANDPROPERTIES

The radiopacifying organobismuth monomer p-styryldi(p-tolyl)bismuth wa s synthesized in 40% yield by means of a three-step process using 4-br omotoluene, 4-bromostyrene and bismuth trichloride as starting compoun ds. The product is a crystalline solid of at least 95% purity, unlike the earlier reported styryldiphenylbismuth which could only be obtaine d in a very impure form. Radical or anionic polymerization yields a so luble homopolymer, and copolymers were made with styrene and methyl me thacrylate. The products were characterized by standard techniques. Da ta are reported on their solubility, blending and radiopacity. The lat ter property, expressed in mm of aluminium per mm resin, is a linear f unction of the molar bismuth concentration in the polymer specimens.