The present disclosure relates to structurally defined imidazolium-type ionic oligomers of the formula: ##STR00001## wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20; A is N or ##STR00002## m is an integer ranging from 1 to 5; X is selected from the group consisting of Br, OTf, CF.sub.3CO.sub.2, CH.sub.3CO.sub.2, BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, NTf.sub.2, F, Cl and I; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1-10 alkyl. The imidazolium-type ionic oligomers lend themselves as soluble/solid supports for biopolymer synthesis.