A Conducting Polymer Electrochemically Generated Via Anodic Oxidation of Toluene

As opposed to the much harsher conditions demanded in homogeneous solutions, a conducting polymer of toluene is readily formed by anodic oxidation of acetonitrile solutions containing the precursor. The fabrication of new conductive polymers is of interest due to the potential practical applications of these materials. We report here the electrochemical polymerization of a conducting polymer from toluene precursor. Anodic oxidation of concentrated solutions (0.5 M) toluene in anhydrous acetonitrile solution containing 0.15 M Bu4N(+)BF4-leads to the formation of a highly conductive poly(methylphenylene) polymer film on the surface of a platinum mirror electrode (bulk metal). The polymer can also be formed in solutions of lower toluene concentrations, but only after successive pulsing or sweeping techniques at high positive potentials for long periods of time. Preliminary electrochemical experiments for the the formation and characterization of the film were carried out in dry acetonitrile with Bu4NBF4 electrolyte, which had been freshly recrystallized twice from methylene chloride-diethyl ether and dried in vacuo at 75C for 24 h. Solutions were degassed with and carried out under Ar. Films were formed in the range of thickness 0.5-5 microns.