DI-substituted pyridinium polymers and synthesis

A method of producing a di-substituted pyridinium polymer by microwave-assisted polymerisation of a 2, 3, or 4-substituted pyridine monomer of the formula NC5R4-R' -X, wherein R is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and alkenyl groups, R' is a linking group, and X is a leaving group. Using this method, di-substituted pyridinium polymer compositions may be obtained wherein at least 50% of the di- substituted pyridinium polymer chains in the composition have the same degree of polymerisation.