Abstract
The reactivity ratio of the vinylimidazolium salts increased with increasing polarity of the solvent, e.g., water vs. EtOH, while that of the neutral vinyl comonomer decreased. The reactivity ratio product showed a greater tendency toward alternation in water than in EtOH. Substitution in the 2-position of the vinylimidazolium salt had little effect on the reactivity ratios. The Q values for the vinylimidazolium salts were generally low, and the e values were pos., showing that the imidazolium rings were electron-withdrawing. The Q-e values for the neutral and quaternized monomers could not be compared, due to the effect of the solvent and comonomer on the monomeric salt, e.g., Q values for the salt were greater in water than in EtOH, and the e values showed considerable deviation between N-vinylpyrrolidone (I) and acrylamide (II). With all I combinations in water and EtOH, the e values were greater in the more polar solvent, and those for II were greater in the less polar solvent.