Aqueous RAFT Polymerization of Imidazolium-Type Ionic Liquid Monomers: En Route to Poly(ionic liquid)-Based Nanoparticles through RAFT Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

The synthesis by aqueous RAFT polymerization of hydrophilic narrowly dispersed imidazolium-based poly­(ionic liquid)­s (<i><i>Đ</i></i> typically below 1.20) is reported. Full monomer conversion is achieved within hours and high end-group fidelity of the living end groups affords the preparation of well-defined block copolymers. The resulting poly­(ionic liquid) macroRAFT agents are finally exploited to polymerize 2-vinylpyridine in water and generate PIL-based nanoparticles of various morphologies (spheres, vesicles, or worms) in a one-pot surfactant-free process