Poly(phenylene sulfide-phenyleneamine-phenyleneamine) (PPSAA) - a soluble model for polyaniline

A novel nitrogen and sulfur containing polymer, the so-called poly(phenylen e sulfide-phenyleneamine-phenyleneamine) (PPSAA) has been synthesized via a soluble precursor polymer through an acid-induced polycondensation reactio n of N-(4-methylsulfinyl)phenylene-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine. This hig h molecular weight compound is exceptionally soluble in common organic solv ents such as THF, DMF and NMP. The close electronic relationship of PPSAA t o polyaniline (PAni) is demonstrated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic volt ammetry measurements on a model compound and on the polymer. First investig ations on both the acid-type and the oxidative-type doping of the PPSAA are presented. Furthermore, the concepts for the build-up of nitrogen and sulf ur containing polymers with hyperbranched- or step-ladder-type topology are briefly introduced. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.