Electrochemical polymerisation of (2, 4,6-trihalophenolato) nickel(II) complexes in solution

The synthesis of bis(2,4,6-trihalophenolato)di/or mono(pyridine)nickel(II) complexes and their characterisation by FT-IR, DSC and elemental analysis w ere achieved. The polymerisation of these complexes was accomplished in pot assium perchlorate solution in N,N-dimethylformamide by constant potential electrolysis, at room temperature. The structural analysis of the polymers was performed using FT-IR, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR spectroscopic techniques, D SC for the thermal analysis and molecular weight by GPC. The kinetics of th e polymerisations were followed by in situ UV-VIS spectroscopy, during the constant potential or constant current electrolysis in two different solven ts. The mechanism of the polymerisation was investigated by in situ ESR spe ctroscopy. There was no induction period for the polymerisation during elec trolysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.