Kinetics and steric limitation of quaternization of poly(4-vinylpyridine) with mesogenic ω-(4′-methoxy-4-biphenylyloxy)alkyl bromides

Abstract The kinetics and characteristics of the quaternization of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) with very large alkylating agents are studied with the main aim to demonstrate the occurrence of a limitation of the reaction due to steric effect. Kinetics are carried out in sulfolane at different temperatures with two ω‐(4'‐methoxy‐4‐biphenylyloxy)alkyl bromides. An important limitation of the reaction is demonstrated: 30% of the pyridine groups are inaccessible at 333 K, 23% at 355.5 K, and 4% at 363 K. Post‐quaternization experiments with butyl bromide of already partially quaternized P4VP also demonstrate this limitation. The occurrence of global steric hindrance and hydrophobic effects affecting the conformation of the chain in solution is proposed to explain the limited accessibility of the pyridine groups. The results question the classical neighboring group model generally used to describe the slowing down of the quaternization reaction with increasing quaternization ratio. The thermal stability of the quaternized polymers and the colors of the reaction medium are also discussed. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.