Selective oxidation of poly(4‐methylstyrene)

Abstract A range of new functional copolymers bearing aldehyde and carboxylic acid groups have been prepared by functionalization of poly(4‐methylstyrene). These polymers have molecular weights from 2,000 to 16,500 and contain up to 20% aldehyde and up to 90% carboxylic acid groups. The reaction proceeds by selective catalytic oxidations with molecular oxygen or air in acetic acid/organic cosolvent mixtures in presence of cobalt acetate and sodium bromide or hydrogen bromide. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst, co‐solvents and oxygen partial pressure on the reaction are described. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.