Abstract: A method is provided for the thermal decarboxylation of a phenolic substrate in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst to produce a vinyl monomer. The product of the decarboxylation reaction may additionally be acetylated in the presence of an acetylating agent in the same reaction vessel.

Abstract: The invention discloses a composition consisting essentially of an E/X/M random copolymer wherein X is from 0.1 to 20 mol % of the E/X/M copolymer and is a 4-vinylphenyl ester, preferably 4-acetoxystyrene; M is from 0 to 40 mol % of the E/X/M copolymer and is one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and E is ethylene. The invention further encompasses a high pressure radical polymerization process for providing the novel polymers; and a base catalyzed transesterification process for conversion of the E/X/M copolymer to an E/Y/M copolymer wherein Y is derived from 4-hydroxystyrene. Another embodiment of the invention is a composition consisting essentially of an E/Y/M random copolymer wherein Y is greater than 1.0 to about 20 mol % of the E/Y/M copolymer and is 4-hydroxystyrene; M is from 0 to 40 mol % of the E/Y/M copolymer and is one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and E is ethylene.

Abstract: A solution grafting method for making polyolefin graft polymers by grafting a phenolic ester monomeric compound on olefinic polymers in the presence of a radical initiator in an organic solvent is described. The grafted polymers provide improved adhesion properties, particularly to metal and polyester substrates.

Abstract: A method for preparing p-(2-hydroxyalkyloxy)styrene monomers and oligomers is described. The method comprises a base-catalyzed reaction of a styrene ester, a suitable alcohol and an alkylene oxide in a single vessel reaction. In this method, the reactive p-hydroxystyrene is generated in situ via the base-catalyzed transesterification reaction between the styrene ester and the alcohol in the presence of the base catalyst. The p-hydroxystyrene formed reacts with the alkylene oxide to form the p-(2-hydroxyalkyloxy)styrene monomer or oligomer.

Abstract: A method is provided for the thermal decarboxylation of a phenolic substrate in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst to produce a vinyl monomer. The product of the decarboxylation reaction may additionally be acetylated in the presence of an acetylating agent in the same reaction vessel.