(Meth) acrylic compounds, process for their preparation and their application to the synthesis of new polymers

A process for the production of an acrylic compound of the formula (I):

• ##STR22## wherein Z is H or a linear or branched alkyl radical;
• X is O or S;
• A and B are each independently an unsubstituted alkylene radical;
• R is H, an alkali metal, or a linear or branched alkyl radical;
• x has the value of 0 or 1;
• and
• y has the value of 0, 1 or 2, but is 0 when x=0,
• with the proviso that the radical A does not exist if x and y are both equal to 0;
• said process comprising:
• reacting a compound of the formula (II) ##STR23## wherein X, A and B are as defined above and Alk is a linear or branched alkyl radical,
• with a compound of the formula (Ill) ##STR24## wherein Z is as defined above, and Hal represents a halogen, in order to obtain a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=0 and R=alkyl (compound Ia);
• optionally, further comprising treating said compound (Ia) with H.sup.+ ions to produce a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=0 and R=H (compound Ib);
• optionally, further comprising converting said compound (Ib) into a salt to produce a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=0 and R=alkali metal (compound Ic);
• optionally, further comprising reacting said compound (Ia) with an oxidizing agent to produce a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=1 or 2 and
• R=alkyl (compound Id), the molar ratio of oxidizing agent to compound (Ia) being at least equal to 1 and lower than 2 in order to obtain a sulfoxide, y=1, and at least equal to 2 in order to obtain a sulfone, y=2;
• optionally, further comprising treating said compound (Id) with H.sup.+ ions to produce a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=1 or 2 and R=H (compound Ie);
• and
• optionally, further comprising converting said compound (Ie) into a salt to produce a compound (I) wherein x=1, y=1 or 2 and R=alkali metal (compound If).