Reactions on polymers with amine groups. III. Description of the addition reaction of pyridine and imidazole compounds with α,β-unsaturated monocarboxylic acids

A detailed study of the synthesis of betaine products that result from addition reactions of poly (4-vinylpyridine) and poly (N-vinylimidazole) as well as of their model compounds, with α,β-unsaturated monocarboxylic acids is presented. A reaction mechanism based on experimental observations and proved by kinetic analysis is proposed. It consists of two reactions: the addition, which involves two molecules of acid and leads to X⁺B⁻-like structures, where the cation X⁺ results from the addition of the amino nitrogen to the double bond of acid and B⁻ is the carboxyl anion, and an equilibrium reaction between X⁺B⁻ and the betaine structure X^±. The latter occurs only in protic solvents and is coupled with the addition reaction. The process was especially investigated in methanol, because this solvent allows determination of the kinetic parameters. Some values of the addition rate constants are given. The study is based on ¹H-NMR measurements and observations. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.