A STUDY OF PYRIDINIUM-TYPE FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS .1. PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLUBLE PYRIDINIUM-TYPE FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS

Copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) with styrene (St) was perfor med in ethanol using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiato r, and then a random copolymer P(4VP-St) was obtained. A soluble pyrid inium-type polymer containing N-benzyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide [Q-P( 4VP-St)], was prepared by quaternization of P(4VP-St) with benzyl brom ide (BzBr). The structures of P(4VP-St) and its quaternized product Q- P(4VP-St) were identified by FTIR. The 4VP content in P(4VP-St) and th e pyridinium group content (C-q) in Q-P(4VP-St) were determined by non aqueous titration and argentometry, respectively. The molecular weight of p(4VP-St) was characterized by intrinsic viscosity. In addition, t he charge density sigma of the soluble pyridinium-type polymers was me asured by colloid titration, and the mathematical relation between sig ma and C-q was established as follows: sigma = -0.090 + 0.942 C-q. A p reliminary investigation was made into the viscosity behavior and elec troconductivity of the Q-P(4VP-St)/polar solvent system. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.