Functional polymers. VI. Preparation and polymerization of methyl 3-vinylsalicylate, methyl 3-vinylacetylsalicylate, 3-vinylsalicylic acid, and 3-vinylacetylsalicylic acid

The title compounds were synthesized and their homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with styrene and a number of acrylic monomers were investigated. Methyl 3-vinylacetylsalicylate was prepared in a five-step synthesis from 2-ethylphenol in an overall yield of 40%. Methanolysis of this compound gave methyl 5-vinylsalicylate in 63% yield. Hydrolysis of methyl 3-vinylsalicylate gave a nearly quantitative yield of 3-vinylsalicylic acid which could be acetylated to 3-vinylacetylsalicyclic acid (3-vinyl aspirin). 3-Vinylsalicylic acid derivatives were readily homopolymerized and copolymerized with styrene, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid, and 3-vinylsalicyclic acid was copolymerized with a number of vinyl and acrylic monomers. Copolymer compositions were determined by examination of ^1H-NMR spectra