Synthesis of mesomeric betaine compounds with imidazolium-enolate structure

The synthesis of a heterocyclic mesomeric betaine by quaternization reaction of 1-butylimidazole and tetrabromo-1,4-benzoquinone is presented. The structure was verified by means of X-ray single-crystal analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopy. Inclusion complexes of the heterocyclic mesomeric betaine with randomly methylated (1.8) β-cyclodextrin were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Furthermore, the reaction conditions were applied to poly(vinylimidazole) and 1,4-bis(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane to obtain functionalized polymer networks and condensate polymers, respectively.