Polycations with quarternary N-atoms in the main chain according to th
e general structure [N(+)(R1)2-R2-N(+)(R1)2-R3] 2X- can be synthesized
by alkylation of polymers or by repetitive N-alkylation reactions sta
rting from bis-tert amines and alpha,omega-bromoalkanes. The most comm
on method is the repetitive Menschutkin-reaction: [GRAPHICS]. These po
lymers are termed ''ionenes.'' In most cases, R1 is either methyl or e
thyl and R2 and R3 are oligomethylene chains having identical or diffe
rent lengths. However, a large number of ionenes with cycloaliphatic o
r heteroaromatic and other units between the ammonium groups have also
been described. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a new type
of ionere, in which two spiro-conjugated rings have a central quartern
ary nitrogen in common (''spiroazonia polymers'' or ''spiroionenes''):
[GRAPHICS]. Details of the synthesis, the mechanism of the step-growt
h reaction and some properties of these polymers will be described,