Abstract
Quaternization of 1-vinylimidazole(I) and 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole(II) with alkyl iodides or Me2SO4 gave the corresponding imidazolium salts(III, R1 = H or Me, R2 = H or alkyl, X = I or MeSO4) which were free radically polymerized to give polymers [such as poly(1-methyl-3-vinylimidazolium methyl sulfate) of varying solubility in aqueous media, and similar treatment of I or II with propane 1,3-sultone gave the corresponding sulfobetaines (IV, R = H or Me) which were free radically polymerized to give water-insoluble polymers.