This paper describes an evaluation of the method based on the quaternization of pyridine for determining the chloromethyl groups content in styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers with different kinds of porosity. Some modifications of the method described by Feinberg and Merrifield are proposed depending on the porous characteristic of the copolymer to be analyzed. The quaternization reaction was limited by the access of pyridine to chloromethyl groups that is governed by the swelling equilibrium of the copolymer in the reactant.
styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers; chloromethylation degree; pyridine; porosity
