Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of highly conducting BF3-doped polyaniline

A highly conducting polyaniline, doped with a Lewis acid, boron trifluoride , has been synthesized. Doping involves a transfer of the lone pair of elec trons from the imine nitrogen of the polyaniline to the B center, leading t o a change in the hybridization at the B site from sp(2) to sp(3). Various spectroscopic techniques, in conjunction with ab initio calculations for ge ometry optimizations, are used to characterize the sample. These techniques all confirm the ability of this electron-deficient molecule to dope polyan iline very effectively, yielding a remarkably high conductivity over a wide temperature range.