A polystyrene-supported 1-(propyl-3-sulfonate)-3-methy-imidazolium hydrosulfate acidic ionic liquid (PS-[SO3H-PMIM][HSO4]) catalyst was prepared by grafting and characterized by FT-IR, SEM/TEM, elements analysis, TG/DSC and acid base titration. It exhibited higher catalytic activity and improved para-selectivity than its homogenous counterpart for the nitration of toluene with 68% nitric acid. The catalytic activity of this catalyst decreased slightly after fifth runs in the synthesis of nitrotoluene.

A newly developed water-soluble azobenzene-containing monomer, 4-(4-((4- ethoxyphenyl)diazenyl)phenoxy)-N-(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)-N,N-dimethylbutan-1-aminium bromide (assigned to M), was synthesized, and then a thermo-/light-sensitive gel was prepared by copolymerization of M and N-isopropylacrylamide. The properties of the gel were subsequently investigated by DSC, UV-vis, and gravimetry. The results showed that the copolymer hydrogel had a very quickly tran-cis photoisomerization rate upon UV irradiation. The critical solution temperature (CST) of the copolymer hydrogel could be toned by the M content and U, did also of the swelling ability.