ELECTROSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY(1,3-DIMETHOXYBENZENE)

Poly(1,3-dimethoxybenzene) was synthesized via the electrochemical oxi dation of the corresponding monomer (1,3-dimethoxybenzene) in an aceto nitrile solution containing tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (Bu4N BF4) and characterized spectroscopically. The resulting polymer is ins oluble in all common solvents. Structural characterization using Fouri er transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spe ctroscopies suggests that this material has a polymeric structure in w hich the methoxy groups are retained. Spectroscopic results are in goo d agreement with theoretical calculations based on a proposed structur e. Electrical conductivity at room temperature is 2.5 x 10(-4) S cm(-1 ). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.