Low-potential electrochemical polymerization of 5-fluoroindole and characterization of its polymers

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 604; no. 2; pp. 125 - 132
• Main Authors: Nie, Guangming, Han, Xuejun, Hou, Jian, Zhang, Shusheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.06.2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Boron trifluoride diethyl etherate; Chemistry; Conducting polymer; Electrochemical polymerization; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Physicochemistry of polymers; Poly(5-fluoroindole); Polyindole; Polymerization; Polymers and radiations; Poly(5-fluoroindole); Conducting polymer; Electrochemical polymerization; Boron trifluoride diethyl etherate; Polyindole; Electrochemical potential; Scanning electron microscopy; Fourier transformation; Electrical properties; Indole derivative polymer; Fluorine containing polymer; Ionic conductivity; Transition metal; Thermal stability; Wire electrode; Surface structure; Conducting polymers; Infrared spectrometry; Platinum; Morphology; Ethyl ether; Thermal analysis; Electrochemical reaction; Ultraviolet visible spectrometry
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2007.03.010

High-quality poly(5-fluoroindole) (P5FIn) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct oxidation of 5-fluoroindole (5FIn) in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of 5FIn in this medium was measured to be only 1.05 V vs. SCE, which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L −1 Bu 4NBF 4 (1.30 V). P5FIn films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and good thermal stability. Dedoped P5FIn films were soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide. Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that P5FIn is a good blue-light emitter. The structure and morphology of the polymer were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results of the spectroscopies of dedoped P5FIn indicated the polymerization mainly occurred at C (2) and C (3) positions.