4-Acetoxystyrene is reacted with a base in a solvent to form a salt of 4-hydroxystyrene via saponification. Alternatively, 4-hydroxystyrene is reacted with a base to form a salt of 4-hydroxystyrene. In the latter case, the 4-hydroxystyrene is prepared by the transesterification of 4-acetoxystyrene. Subsequently or simultaneously, the salt of 4-hydroxystyrene is reacted, preferably in situ, with di-tertiary-butyl-dicarbonate to form 4-tertiarybutoxycarbonyloxystyrene.