Synthesis of 4-O- and 6-O-monoacryloyl derivatives of sucrose by selective hydrolysis of 4,6-O-(1-ethoxy-2-propenylidene) sucrose. Polymerization and copolymerization with styrene.

The synthesis of an ethylenic orthoester of sucrose by transorthoesterification of an acrylic reagent with sucrose is described. Mild hydrolysis of this orthoester gave sucrose selectively monosubstituted by an acryloyl group at either the 4-O- or the 6-O-position. These acrylates were homopolymerized and copolymerized with styrene, and the corresponding polymers were characterized.