Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization of 1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐butylimidazolium Ionic Liquid Containing Homopolymers and Methyl Methacrylate Copolymers

Abstract

AbstractThe synthesis of well‐defined imidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) copolymers by nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) is reported. The viability of three different synthetic pathways to achieve poly[1‐(4‐vinylbenzyl)‐3‐butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)‐imide‐co‐methyl methacrylate] (poly(VBBI+TFSI‐‐co‐MMA)) was explored including direct polymerization of the ionic liquid monomer (VBBI+TFSI‐) and post functionalization of precursor polymer poly(4‐vinylbenzyl imidazole‐co‐methyl methacrylate). PILs with well‐controlled molecular weight and low dispersity ( < 1.3) were obtained via all routes. A full synthetic, kinetic, and compositional comparison between methods is reported. These results illustrate an effective route for the synthesis of well‐defined, pseudo‐living functional PIL‐methacryalte copolymers with tunable properties through potential methacrylate monomer substitution.