Syntheses and reactions of functional polymers. XLII. Preparation and use of polymers having N‐hydroxy‐succinimide unit in the chain

Styrene‐maleic anhydride alternating copolymer was converted to N‐hydroxymaleimide‐styrene copolymer by reaction with hydroxylamine in pyridine at room temperature. The conversion was more than 90%. From this copolymer, N‐acetoxy‐ or N‐benzoyloxymaleimide‐styrene copolymers were derived by action of acetic anhydride or benzoyl chloride in dimethylformamide at room temperature. Acylation of several primary amines was carried out effectively by use of these N‐acyloxyimide‐styrene copolymers. The reaction of the acetylated copolymer with diethylamine at room temperature afforded N‐hydroxyimide copolymer.