FORMATION OF POLYMERS CONTAINING 4-HYDROXYSTYRENE VIA HYDROLYSIS OF 4-((TRIMETHYLSILYL)OXY)STYRENE

A novel strategy for the incorporation of hydroxystyrene into styrenic polymers has been developed. Utilization of the trimethylsilyl protec tive group allows facile incorporation of ((trimethylsilyl)oxy)styrene into a variety of styrene and styrene-sulfone polymer materials. The method involves a radical polymerization to give pure, high molecular weight polymers. The silylated material is readily converted to its hy droxy equivalent under mildly acidic conditions. Specifically, the syn thesis and characterization of copolymers of 4-hydroxystyrene, ((tert- butoxycarbonyl)oxy)styrene, and/or sulfur dioxide are presented.