CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLUORO-SUBSTITUTED POLYANILINES

Polyfluoroanilines can be synthesized chemically from fluorine-substit uted aniline monomers by an acid assisted persulfate initiated polymer ization route typically used for polyaniline synthesis. Successful pol ymerizations of 2 and 3-fluoroanilines have been accomplished. Typical polymer yields are between 3-7% by weight. In contrast, poly(4-fluoro aniline) undergoes dehalogenation during polymerization, where the flu orine is displaced allowing for the more favorable head-to-tail polyme rization of aniline. Characterizations of the polymer products have be en carried out using UV-VIS, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopies, differenti al scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and r elative solubilities of the polyfluoroaniline powders determined in va rious organic solvents.