Cationic polyelectrolytes were obtained from anionic synthesis of poly[5-(N
,N-dialkylamino)isoprene]s by quaternization of the tertiary amino group. T
he reaction takes place easily using dimethyl sulfate as alkylating agent.
The quaternized polymers are completely water-soluble and were characterize
d by NMR spectroscopy. An application of this material as phase transfer ca
talyst in the polymerization of 4-bromo-2,6-dimethyl phenol was also demons
trated.