POLY(O-METHOXYANILINE) - SOLUBILITY, DEPROTONATION-PROTONATION PROCESS IN SOLUTION AND CAST FILMS

Solubility tests were performed at room temperature for poly(o-methoxy aniline) (POMA) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), m-cresol, acetonitrile, chloroform, dichloromethane and xylene , and compared with those for polyaniline. A reversible solvatochromic transition from green to blue was observed in dilute POMA solutions i n DMF, NMP IP and m-cresol indicating the occurrence of deprotonation- protonation processes. The solvent NMP more readily induced deprotonat ion processes at higher concentrations than those observed in DMF solu tions. On the other hand, m-cresol exhibited an ability to protonate P OR;ZA in solution regardless of its undoped or doped state. Ultraviole t-visible spectra confirmed modifications of electronic transitions in agreement with the color changes. Correlations among crystalline prop erties, electron paramagmetic resonance results and electric conductiv ity of POMA films processed from DMF, NMP and m-cresol solutions are d iscussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.