Novel series of imidazole-containing polymers and polymeric surfactants have been synthesized via an efficient
procedure. It included copolymerization of 1-vinyl-imidazole (VIM) with lauryl methacrylate (LMA) initiated by
benzoyl peroxide and the 1H NMRspectroscopic datawas utilized to estimate themonomer reactivity ratio. Conversion
of polymers to surfactants was achieved through quaternization of the imidazole nitrogenwith dimethyl
sulphate. Spectroscopic techniqueswere used to elucidate the chemical structures of all synthesized compounds.
The surface-active properties of polymeric surfactants beside their activities against various microbes were investigated.
In addition, petroleum-collecting and dispersing properties of surfactants in diluted and undiluted form
in varying waters were evaluated.