Microemulsion Polymerization of Cationic Pyrroles Bearing an Imidazolum-Ionic Liquid Moiety

A cationic pyrrole derivative, N-(4-butyl-(1-methylimidazole)) pyrrole bromide (Py-Br) bearing an imidazolium-type ionic liquid moiety was synthesized. Micro-emulsion polymerization of Py-Br in water/oil microemulsions produced poly(N-(4-butyl-(1-methyhmidazole)) pyrrole bromide) (PPy-Br) nanoparticles. The bromide anion of the resultant PPy-Br nanoparticles was exchanged in water with different anions, including BF4- and PF6- to produce new nanoparticles bearing different counteranions. The results of thermal analysis indicate that the thermal stability of cationic PPy nanoparticles strongly depends on the nature of counteranion. As an application, water-soluble Ppy-Br with fine fluorescence property was used as a new sensor for DNA detection. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Pan A: Polym Chem 47: 746-753, 2009