Free-radical polymerization of C-vinyltetrazoles: Effect of the nature of ionic solvents

High-molecular-mass polymers (M _w up to 2.2 × 10⁶) have been synthesized by the free-radical polymerization of 5-vinyl-and 2-methyl-5-vinyltetrazoles in ionic liquids with 1,3-dialkylimidazolium and tetraalkylphosphonium cations. Effects of the structure of monomers, the nature of ionic solvents, and the conditions of polymerization on the yield and molecular mass of poly(C-vinyltetrazoles) are studied. The structure and thermal characteristics of the polymers are examined. It has been shown that the incorporation of the methyl substituent at the second position of the 5-vinyltetrazoel heterocycle in ionic media gives rise to higher molecular mass polymers and improves their solubility.