Polybenzimidazole compounds, polymeric media, and methods of post-polymerization modifications

A substituted PBI synthesis method comprising:

• providing PBI having imidazole nitrogens;
• deprotonating the imidazole nitrogens at from about 20 to about 30° C. in a less than 5 wt % solution of the PBI in a solvent;
• reacting the deprotonated PBI with (R)Me2SiCH2Cl at from about 20 to about 30° C., where R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, vinyl, and allyl;
• and
• substituting substantially all of the imidazole nitrogens with (R)Me2SiCH2—.

A polymeric medium fabrication method comprising:

• providing PBI having imidazole nitrogens;
• reacting the PBI with an organic-inorganic hybrid compound that includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of metals, semi-metals, and phosphorous;
• substituting at least a portion of the imidazole nitrogens with an organic-inorganic hybrid moiety from the organic-inorganic hybrid compound;
• and
• forming a polymeric medium that comprises the substituted PBI.

A polymeric medium fabrication method comprising:

• providing PBI having imidazole nitrogens;
• deprotonating the imidazole nitrogens at from about 20 to about 30° C. in a less than 5 wt % solution of the PBI in a solvent;
• reacting the deprotonated PBI with (R)Me2SiCH2Cl at from about 20 to about 30° C., where R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, phenyl, vinyl, and allyl;
• substituting substantially all of the imidazole nitrogens with (R)Me2SiCH2—;
• and
• forming a polymeric medium that comprises the substituted PBI.