The scientific and commercial impact of ionic liquids has evolved from developing potential solvent replacements to functional integration into polymeric materials. The interest in polymerizable ionic liquids, particularly those containing the imidazolium group, has increased significantly over the last decade due to its relative ease of functionalization and potential application in areas such as electronic devices and drug delivery vehicles.  In an effort to further explore the area of ionically-charged polymers (ionenes), we wish to report on the synthesis and thermal analysis of a series of polyesters (linear and covalently crosslinked networks) in which a pendant imidazolium group has been anchored into the polymer backbone.  As part of this study, we wanted to compare changes in thermal properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability (Td) as a function of polyester structure (linear vs. network) as well as anion selection (basicity and size). Linear polyesters were prepared using standard nucleophilic acyl substitution conditions while the covalently crosslinked networks were prepared using the Michael addition polymerization.  In addition to the thermal analysis data, a correlation between the 1H NMR chemical shift values of the imidazolium H2 proton and the hydrogen bonding capability of the anion will be discussed.?

Linear and covalently crosslinked polyesters containing a pendant imidazolium group: Synthesis and thermal properties

246th National Meeting (2013)

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