Six polyvinylimidazolium based ionic liquids were prepared for use as stationary phases for gas chromatography. The influences of the attached side-chains (hexyl-, octyl- and phenylpropyl-) on the vinylimidazolium cations and of different counter ions (bromide, hexafluorophosphate, bis-trifluoromethanesulfonlyimide, and bis-trifluoroethanesulfonylimide) were studied. Linear solubility parameter experiments were conducted to characterize the specific interactions of these stationary phases. Some of the polymerized ionic liquid stationary phases exhibited unique structural selectivity. m-, and p-xylenes could be distinguished. The preparation of the polymerized ionic liquid column is simple and reliable. This work provides detailed information for designing polymerized ionic liquids, and shows that these materials have great potential extending the range of options for stationary phases in gas chromatography.
