Uses
1-Vinylimidazole is used as a monomer in the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers. It is involved in the removal of vinyl protecting groups with an isoprene-catalyzed lithiation process. Also, it is involved in the preparation of magnetic-poly(divinylbenzene-1-vinylimidazole) microbeads. Further, it is used to prepare ion imprinted polyvinylimidazole-silica hybrid copolymer.
Polymerization
Poly(vinylimidazole)s, which contain heterocyclic aromatic rings on the polymer side chains, are of increasing interest for a wide variety of applications ranging from catalysis, polymeric ionic liquids to membrane material. Researcher demonstrated that well-controlled and low dispersity (as low as 1.05) poly(1VIM) could be synthesized via RAFT polymerization by using acetic acid as a special solvent. Acetic acid not only works as a solvent that allows homogeneous polymerization, it also protonates 1VIM, thereby, allowing the stabilization of propagating radicals during polymerization. The synthesis of well-controlled poly(1VIM) is expected to greatly expand the design and utility of vinyl imidazole-based materials and their applications in catalysis, membrane material, heavy metal removal, fuel cells and many other fields.
