Functional polymers. II. Preparation and polymerization of methyl 5-vinylsalicylate,methyl 5-vinylacetylsalicylate, 5-vinylsalicylic acid,and 5-vinylacetylsalicylic acid

Four new derivatives of 5-vinylsalicylic acid were prepared and their homopolymerization and copolymerization with acrylic acid and methacrylic acid investigated. Methyl 5-vinylsalicylate was prepared in a six-step synthesis from methyl salicylate in an overall yield of 35%. Acetylation in the last step yielded methyl 5-vinylacetylsalicylate. Hydrolysis of methyl 5-vinylsalicylate gave 5-vinylsalicylic acid which was acetylated to 5-vinylacetylsalicylic acid (5-vinyl aspirin). The 5-vinyl-substituted salicylic acid derivatives could be readily homopolymerized and copolymerized with acrylic acid and methacrylic acid to give various compositions of copolymers. It is worth noting that even the monomers with free phenol groups could be readily polymerized with azobisisobutyronitrile as radical initiator to high molecular weight polymers without interference of the phenolic OH group.