4-Vinylphthalic anhydride

4-Vinylphthalic anhydride can be prepared from phthalic acid via bromination and subsequent olefination (Heck-reaction). Homo- and copolymerization with styrene was accomplished using AIBN as initiator. The copolymer compositions were determined by infrared-spectroscopy. The copolymerization parameters are rs=0,15 and rVPA=3,09, the corresponding Q, e values of 4-vinylphthalic anhydride are estimated as Q=3,34 and e=0.09.