Polymerization of N-ethylcarbazole (NECz) in the presence of acrylamide (AA
m) has been investigated by in situ and ex situ UV-visible spectrophotometr
ic measurements to obtain information about the reaction pathway, because N
ECz gives soluble oligomeric species allowing such measurements. A tentativ
e mechanism is proposed in the light of these results. The redox properties
of the new polymers have been studied for possible sensor application. (C)
2001 Society of Chemical Industry.