Anodic synthesis of a conducting polymer deriving from m-methoxytoluene

The electropolymerization of m-methoxytoluene is studied in acetonitrile on a platinum anode. In the voltammetric study, a growing film of polymer is deposited on the electrode when sweeping the potential repetitively about the anodic peak. The modified electrode remains conducting after several cycles. Furthermore, in the chronoamperometric analysis, an oscillating current is observed. In the preparative electrolysis, two types of polymer are obtained, the first is soluble and the second is a deposit, insoluble in most usual solvents. Both give very similar results in IR and NMR spectroscopic analysis, which are in agreement with meta-linked aromatic rings. The polymer is photoluminescent and has maximum emission peaks situated in the near IR region.