The introduction of hydroxyl functionality into polymers: The synthesis,polymerization, and hydrolysis of vinylbenzyl acetate

Vinylbenzyl acetate was synthesized in yields greater than 80% via the reaction of vinylbenzyl chloride with potassium acetate. Radical copolymerization of the monomer with styrene and methylmethacrylate were studied at 60°C. Reactivity ratios determined from FT-IR analysis of low conversion copolymerizations with styrene (M₁) were r₁ = 0.78 ± 0.07 and r₂ = 1.33 ± 0.13. Polymers and copolymers of vinylbenzyl acetate were found to completely hydrolyze in dioxane/water/base solution to yield hydroxymethyl functionality. Size exclusion chromatography studies indicated that the hydrolysis proceeded without crosslinking. This procedure is a useful method for the introduction of hydroxyl functionality on polymers and avoids crosslinking problems common in previously reported methods.