Comb-Like Polyelectrolytes with Quinolinium and Trimethylammonium Cations in Micellar Catalysis

Abstract—

Homo- and copolymers of poly-11-acryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium bromide and poly-11-acryloyloxyundecylquinolinium bromide have been prepared. Molecular parameters and solubilization properties of these polyelectrolytes have been determined. Their catalytic activity in the model reaction of alkaline hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate has been investigated. The introduction of the units containing a quinoline moiety has led to consistent growth of the solubilization capacity of the copolymer with respect to a hydrophobic dye, Orange OT. The obtained comb-like polyelectrolytes have been found prone to solubilization over the entire concentration range; they have not possessed critical micelle concentration typical for low-molecular-weight surfactants. Acceleration of the alkaline hydrolysis of the model ester by 2–3 times has been observed in the presence of even low concentration of the comb-like polyelectrolytes. The synthesized polymeric surfactants have not crystallized with the cooling of the solution, in contrast to their monomers and other cationic low-molecular-weight surfactants.