Emulsifier‐free synthesis of monodisperse core–shell polymer colloids containing chloromethyl groups

Both the synthesis of m,p‐trimethyl(vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride (TMVBAC) and the synthesis of polymer colloids consisting of a shell of poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) grafted onto a well‐defined, monodisperse poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) core are described. The preparation of the polymer latices consists of a sequence of different emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerizations. First, monodisperse poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) seed latices, with 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AIBA·2HCl) as cationic initiator, are prepared under batch conditions. These latices are used for the seeded polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB), in order to synthesize monodisperse particles, with a well‐defined spherical shape, which contain a sufficient amount of pendant vinyl groups for grafting of the vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) monomer. After the graft polymerization, the chloromethyl groups can easily be modified with a postpolymerization reaction. As an example, the amination with trimethylamine (TMA) is described.