Abstract
The mechanism of the spontaneous polymerization of 4-vinylpyiridine on quaternization or protonation has been investigated. Results indicate that initiation is caused by the nucleophilic attack of 4-vinylpyridine on the double bond of 4-vinylpyridinium ion. It was shown that halide ions do not contribute significantly to the initiation. In the case of acid salts of 4-vinylpyridine a hydrogen-transfer polymerization occurred to give an ionene polymer with pyridinium units in the main chain. The “matrix” polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine on poly(phosphoric acid) or poly(acrylic acid) also resulted in ionene formation. Conditions under which stable 4-vinylpyridinium salts can be obtained are discussed.