Preparation and polymerization of water-soluble styryl sugars with C—C bonds between sugar and double bond

The synthesis of a new type of water-soluble 4-vinylphenyl sugars, in which the polymerizable group is connected with the monosaccharide by a CC-bond, is described. These monomers are obtained from known isopropylidene protected monomers by deprotection with an acid ion exchanger. They are converted into water-soluble polymers by radical initiated polymerization. By changing the ratio of the reactands the molecular weights can be varied systematically.