Alternating copolymers of selected unsymmetrically substituted stilbenes and maleic anhydride or N-substituted maleimides

A method of preparing an alternating copolymer having repeat units according to formula (I):

• wherein X is OCH3 and Y is selected from the group consisting of C1-C5 alkyl, C1-C5 haloalkyl, halogen, cyano, C(O) C1-C5 alkyl, C(O)OC1-C5 alkyl, amino, NH(C1-C5 alkyl), N(C1-C5 alkyl)2, O(C2-C5 alkyl), and 1H-tetrazole, wherein each alkyl is independently selected;
• and wherein X and Y are simultaneously not the same, and wherein A and B are single bonds;
• the method comprising admixing a disubstituted stilbene of formula (II):
• with maleic anhydride, in a polymerization solvent, in the presence of a radical initiator, wherein the alternating copolymer of formula (I) is substantially homogeneously distributed in the polymerization solvent in which the alternating copolymer was prepared to produce an admixture with an absolute viscosity from about 0.1 to 200 centipoises (cP) at 300° K.