Bio-Based Functional Styrene Monomers Derived from Naturally Occurring Ferulic Acid for Poly(vinylcatechol) and Poly(vinylguaiacol) via Controlled Radical Polymerization

A naturally occurring vinylphenolic compound, 4-vinylguaiacol (4VG: 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene), which is derived from naturally occurring ferulic acid via decarboxylation, was used for the synthesis of well-defined bio-based poly(vinylguaiacol) and poly(vinylcatechol) with phenolic functions. Through one-step chemical conversions of 4VG, a series of 4VG derivatives protected with acetyl (Ac4VG), tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS4VG), or...