Synthesis of linear polyquaternary salts derived from 4,4′-Bipyridine

1,1″-(1,3-Propanediyl)bis-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide is converted to 1,1″-(1,3-propanediyl)bis[1′-(3-hydroxypropyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium] tetrabromide by reaction with 1,3-dibromopropane in hot aqueous dimethylformamide. The tetraquaternary salt participates in a dequaternization and coupling reaction on treatment with hot aqueous hydrobromic acid to afford an octaquaternary salt, which is readily converted to decaquaternary and dodecaquaternary derivatives. The 1,4-butanediyl analogue participates in a similar sequence of reactions.