Electrosyntheses of freestanding polyindole films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

High‐quality freestanding polyindole (PIn) films were synthesized electrochemically through the direct oxidation of indole in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of indole in this medium was measured to be only 0.86 V versus a saturated calomel electrode, which was lower than that determined in acetonitrile/0.1 mol L^?1 Bu₄NBF₄. PIn films obtained from this medium showed better electrochemical behavior and better thermal stability with a conductivity of 10^?1 S cm^?1, and this indicated that BFEE was a better medium than acetonitrile for the electrosyntheses of PIn films. Structural studies showed that the polymerization of indole ring occurred at the 2,3‐position. As‐formed PIn films could be partly dissolved in acetone, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, and so forth. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PIn was a good blue‐light emitter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the fluorescence of PIn. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1444–1453, 2005     

Electrosyntheses of high‐quality poly(5‐nitroindole) films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate containing additional diethyl ether

High‐quality poly(5‐nitroindole) (PNP) films were synthesized electrochemically by the direct anodic oxidation of 5‐nitroindole in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing additional 10% diethyl ether (EE) (by volume). The addition of EE to BFEE could improve the solubility of the monomer. The oxidation potential onset of 5‐nitroindole in this medium was measured to be only 1.04 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile and 0.1 mol L^?1 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (1.53 V vs SCE). PNP films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and good thermal stability with a conductivity of 10^?2 S cm^?1; this indicated that BFEE containing 10% EE was a suitable medium for the electrosyntheses of PNP films. Structural studies showed that the polymerization of the 5‐nitroindole ring occurred at the 2,3‐position. As‐formed PNP films were thoroughly soluble in the strong polar organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide and partly soluble in tetrahydrofuran or acetone. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PNP was a good green‐light emitter, with excitation and emission wavelengths of 420 and 550 nm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that nitro‐group‐substituted high‐quality conducting polymer films have been electrodeposited. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3986–3997, 2005     

Low potential electrosyntheses of free‐standing poly(dibenzofuran) films in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and trifluoroacetic acid

Free‐standing poly(dibenzofuran) (PDBF) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of dibenzofuran in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing certain amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The oxidation potential of dibenzofuran in pure BFEE was measured to be only 1.31 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE). This value was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L^?1 TBATFB (2.14 V vs. SCE). The addition of TFA to BFEE can further decrease the oxidation potential of the monomer to 1.07 V versus SCE in the mixed electrolyte of BFEE + 30% TFA. PDBF films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior, good electrochromic properties, and good thermal stability with conductivity of 10⁰ S cm^?1. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra showed that the polymer was grown mainly via the coupling of the monomer at C₍₃₎ C₍₁₀₎ or C₍₄₎ C₍₉₎ positions (Scheme 1). As‐formed PDBF films were partly soluble in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or chloroform. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that either soluble or PDBF in solid state was a good blue light PDBF emitter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that free‐standing PDBF films can be electrodeposited. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1125–1135, 2006     

Low potential electrosyntheses of free-standing polyfluorene films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

High quality free-standing polyfluorene (PFe) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of fluorene in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) on stainless steel sheet. The oxidation potential of fluorene in this medium was measured to be only 1.1 V versus SCE, which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L⁻¹ TBATFB. PFe films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior, good thermal stability with conductivity of 0.25 S cm⁻¹, indicating that BFEE is a better medium than acetonitrile for the electrosyntheses of PFe films. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectral investigations indicated that the polymerization of fluorene occurred mainly at 2, 7 position. As-formed PFe films can be partly dissolved in acetone, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, etc.     

Electrosyntheses of high quality poly(5-methylindole) films in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and diethyl ether

High quality poly(5-methylindole) (P5MeI) films, especially with good fluorescence properties, were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 5-methylindole in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing additional 50% diethyl ether (EE) (by volume). The oxidation potential onset of 5-methylindole in this medium was measured to be only 0.84 V vs. SCE, which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L⁻¹ TBATFB (1.08 V vs. SCE). P5MeI films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and good thermal stability with conductivity of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, indicating that BFEE was a better medium than acetonitrile for the electrosyntheses of P5MeI films. Dedoped P5MeI films were thoroughly soluble in strong polar solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). ¹H NMR spectroscopy and FT infrared spectrum of dedoped P5MeI films strongly suggested that the monomers were linked via the positions 2 and 3. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that P5MeI was a good violet-blue light emitter with the excitation and emission wavelength of 310 nm and 418 nm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that 5-methyl group substituted polyindole films with good fluorescence properties can be electrodeposited.     

Electrosyntheses and characterization of poly(9-bromophenanthrene) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

A novel semi-conducting polymer poly(9-bromophenanthrene) (P9BP) was synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of it is monomer 9-bromophenanthrene (9BP) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation onset potential of 9BP in this medium was measured to be only 1.33 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). P9BP films obtained from BFEE showed good electrochemical behavior and nice thermal stability with electrical conductivity of 0.03 S cm⁻¹. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra together with theoretical quantum chemistry calculations indicated that the P9BP was mainly grown via the coupling of the monomer at C₃ and C₆ positions. Furthermore, P9BP exhibited strong electrochromic nature from opaque green to light yellow between the doped and dedoped states on ITO electrode in solid state. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated that P9BP was a blue light emitter.     

Electrosyntheses of free-standing poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate on stainless steel electrode

High-quality free-standing poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) (PDBC) films with a conductivity of 4.1 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ and good thermal stability were synthesized electrochemically on stainless steel electrode by direct anodic oxidation of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DBC) in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). In this medium, the oxidation potential onset of DBC was measured to be only 0.98 V vs. SCE, which was much lower than that in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L⁻¹ Bu₄NBF₄ (1.45 V vs. SCE). PDBC films obtained from this medium showed good redox activity and stability in BFEE. The structural characterization of PDBC was performed using UV-vis, FTIR spectroscopy. The results of quantum chemistry calculations of DBC monomer and FTIR spectroscopy of PDBC films indicated that the polymerization mainly occurred at C₍₄₎ and C₍₅₎ positions). Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that PDBC was a blue light emitter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrodeposition of free-standing PDBC films.     

Direct electrosynthesis and characterization of a new soluble polyfluorene derivative containing carboxyl group in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

High-quality poly(fluorene-9-acetic acid) (PFAA), a new soluble polyfluorene derivative, was synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of fluorene-9-acetic acid (FAA) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing a certain amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). This electrolyte enables facile anodic oxidation of FAA monomer at lower potential (1.05 V vs. SCE). PFAA films with conductivity of 0.53 S cm⁻¹ obtained from this medium showed better redox activity and thermal stability in relation to unsoluble poly(fluorene-9-carboxylic acid). Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that PFAA film with high fluorescence quantum yields and photochemical stability is a good blue-light emitter. The structure and morphology of the polymer were studied by UV–vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectra and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.     

Electrosyntheses of poly(2,3-benzofuran) films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate containing poly(ethylene glycol) oligomers

Visible-light transparent high-quality substrate-supported poly(2,3-benzofuran) (PBF) film has been successfully electrosynthesized by direct anodic oxidation of 2,3-benzofuran on stainless steel sheet in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing 10% poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with molar mass of 400 (by volume). The oxidation potential of 2,3-benzofuran in this medium was measured to be only 1.0 V vs. SCE, which is lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄ (1.2 V vs. SCE). The PBF films obtained in this media showed good electrochemical behaviors and good thermal stability with conductivity of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, and the doping level of as-prepared PBF films was determined to be only 8.9%. The structure and morphology of the polymer were investigated by UV-vis, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case for the syntheses of PBF films.     

Electrosyntheses of high‐quality freestanding poly(fluorene‐co‐3‐methylthiophene) films with tunable fluorescence properties

The copolymerization of 3‐methylthiophene (MeT) and fluorene (FE) was successfully achieved in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate by the direct anodic oxidation of the monomer mixtures on a platinum electrode. The optimal feed ratio together with the best suitable potential for their copolymerization was determined. The as‐formed copolymer films, which were copolymerized with a feed ratio of FE/MeT = 2:1 at a constant potential of 1.3 V (vs a saturated calomel electrode), had the advantages of both poly(3‐methylthiophene) and polyfluorene, such as good electrochemical behavior, high conductivity, excellent thermal stability, and high film quality. The structure of the copolymer was investigated with ultraviolet–visible, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies revealed that the dedoped copolymer film in the solid state was a good blue‐light emitter with a strong emission at 435 nm and a shoulder at 459 nm. The emitting properties of the copolymer could be tuned by parameters during the electrochemical polymerization, such as the applied potential and monomer feed ratio. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4904–4915, 2006     

9,9-二辛基芴的电化学聚合

在三氟化硼乙醚(BFEE)中, 9,9-二辛基芴可以直接阳极氧化制备高质量聚(9,9-二辛基芴)膜, 其电导率为1×10^－2 S/cm. 9,9-二辛基芴在BFEE中的起始氧化电位为1.25 V vs. SCE, 低于单体在0.1 mol/L Bu₄NBF₄的乙腈溶液体系中的起始氧化电位(1.52 V vs. SCE). BFEE中获得的聚(9,9-二辛基芴)膜具有良好的电化学性质. 聚合物部分溶于氯仿、四氢呋喃、二甲基亚砜等极性溶剂. FTIR和¹H NMR表明聚合反应主要发生在2,7位. 荧光光谱表明聚合物是一种良好的蓝色荧光物质.     

三氟化硼乙醚溶液中聚(二苯并呋喃)的电化学合成

在三氟化硼乙醚-硫酸混合电解质溶液中,二苯并呋喃直接阳极氧化聚合可以获得高质量聚(二苯并呋喃)膜.二苯并呋喃在纯三氟化硼乙醚中的起始氧化电位为1.30 VvsSCE,远低于单体在0.1 mol.L-1Bu4NBF4乙腈溶液中的起始氧化电位(2.14 V).硫酸的加入进一步降低了二苯并呋喃的氧化电位.在三氟化硼乙醚-硫酸混合电解质溶液中,二苯并呋喃的起始氧化电位可降低至1.0 V;同时在该体系中获得的聚(二苯并呋喃)膜具有良好的电化学性质和荧光性质.     

9,9-二乙基芴在三氟化硼乙醚中的电化学聚合

在三氟化硼乙醚(BFEE)中,9,9-二乙基芴(DEF)直接阳极氧化聚合可以获得高质量聚(9,9-二乙基芴)膜(PDEF,电导率2×10-2S.cm-1).DEF在BFEE中的起始氧化电位为1.20 VvsSCE,远低于单体在0.1 mol.L-1Bu4NBF4的CH3CN溶液中的起始氧化电位(1.70 V).在BFEE中获得的PDEF膜具有良好的电化学性质.红外光谱和1H NMR结果表明聚合反应主要发生在2,7位.     

9,10-二氢化菲在三氟化硼乙醚-浓硫酸混酸中的电化学聚合

在三氟化硼乙醚(BFEE)-浓硫酸混合电解质体系中直接氧化9,10-二氢化菲获得了高质量聚(9,10-二氢化菲)膜, 其电导率为3.8×10－1 S/cm. 9,10-二氢化菲在BFEE＋10%浓硫酸体系中的起始氧化电位为0.93 V vs. SCE, 远低于其在乙腈＋0.1 mol/L Bu4NBF4溶液中的起始氧化电位(1.75 V vs. SCE). 在BFEE＋10%浓硫酸体系中获得的聚(9,10-二氢化菲)膜具有良好的电化学性质. 聚合物部分溶于二甲基亚砜、四氢呋喃、氯仿等极性溶剂. FT-IR和量化计算表明聚合反应主要发生在2, 7位或者3, 6位. 荧光光谱和热重分析表明聚合物是一种良好的蓝色荧光材料且具有良好的热稳定性.     

Depolymerization of end-of-life poly(dimethylsilazane) with boron trifluoride diethyl etherate to produce difluorodimethylsilane as useful commodity

A straightforward protocol for the depolymerization of end-of-life poly(dimethylsilazane) using boron trifluoride diethyl etherate as depolymerization reagent to convert the Si-N to Si-F bonds was set-up. The application of the depolymerization reagent affords difluorodimethylsilane as major products, which can be a suitable synthon for the synthesis of new polymers (e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxanes) and allow an overall recycling of the [Me₂Si]-unit.     

乙酸/三氟化硼乙醚混合电解质中咔唑的电化学聚合

在新型混合电解质——乙酸含体积比26%的三氟化硼乙醚和5%的分子量为400的聚乙二醇中直接氧化咔唑制得高质量的聚咔唑膜,导电率为10-2 S·cm-1。在该体系中,咔唑的起始氧化电位相对于饱和甘汞电极只有0.89 V,远低于在含0.1 mol·L-1四氟化硼四丁基铵的乙腈溶液中的1.36V（相对于饱和甘汞电极）。从该体系中获得的聚咔唑膜具有良好的电化学性质和热稳定性,可以部分溶于二甲基亚砜、四氢呋喃等强极性溶剂。荧光光谱表明该体系中获得的聚咔唑膜是一种良好的蓝光发射材料。红外、核磁波谱和理论量子化学计算结果表明,咔唑的电化学聚合主要发生在3,6位。据我们所知,这是利用乙酸三氟化硼乙醚混合电解质进行电化学聚合的首次报道。     

Electrosyntheses of freestanding poly (3-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene) films in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate

High quality free-standing poly (3-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene) (PFPT) films with conductivity of 10⁻¹ S/cm were electrosynthesized in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) by direct anodic oxidation of the monomer 3-(4-fluorophenyl)thiophene (FPT) on stainless steel sheet. As-formed flexible and shiny PFPT films can be cut into various shapes by a knife or a pair of scissors. The structure, thermal stability and morphology of PFPT films were studied by FT-infrared, UV-vis, Raman spectroscopy thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.     

Low‐potential facile electrosynthesis of free‐standing poly(1H‐benzo[g]indole) film as a yellow‐light‐emitter

High‐quality free‐standing poly(1H‐benzo[g]indole) (PBIn) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 1H‐benzo[g]indole (BIn) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. PBIn films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and better thermal stability with a conductivity of 0.29 S cm^?1. PBIn films with low band gap value (1.59 eV) were insoluble in acetone and tetrahydrofuran. The structure and morphology of the polymer were studied by UV–vis, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results of quantum chemistry calculations and the spectroscopies of dedoped PBIn indicate that the polymerization of BIn mainly occurs via C₍₂₎ and C₍₅₎ position. The polymer film was compact with regular nanoparticles on the surface. Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that solid‐state PBIn film is a good yellow‐light‐emitter. Thermal stability of PBIn film is higher than poly(indole‐6‐carboxylic acid), poly(5‐formylindole), and polyindole. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrosynthesis of free‐standing polyindole derivatives as yellow‐light‐emitter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2730–2738     

Facile electrochemical preparation of poly(9,9‐dichlorofluorene), a new polyfluorene derivative as green light emitter

High‐quality poly(9,9‐dichlorofluorene) (PDCF), a new part soluble polyfluorene derivative, was easily synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 9,9‐dichlorofluorene (DCF) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing 15% (by volume) trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). It was hard for DCF to deposit on the electrode in neutral solvents such as CH₃CN system. This methodology may help promotion of researches to reveal unknown properties and applications of polyfluorene materials. PDCF films with conductivity of 3.3 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 obtained from this media show good redox activity and thermal stability. The structure and morphology of the polymer were studied by UV–vis, FTIR, ¹H NMR spectra, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results of quantum chemistry calculations and the spectroscopies of dedoped PDCF indicate that the polymerization of DCF mainly occurs via C₍₂₎ and C₍₇₎ position. Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that PDCF film with high fluorescence quantum yields and photochemical stability is a novel green light emitter. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1791–1799, 2010     

Low potential electrochemical polymerization of diphenyl ether and characterization of its polymers

High‐quality poly(diphenyl ether) (PDPE) films with electrical conductivity of 4.4 × 10^?1 S cm^?1 were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of diphenyl ether (DPE) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing 5% concentrated sulfuric acid (SA) (by volume). The oxidation potential onset of DPE in pure BFEE was measured to be only 1.37 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile + 0.1 mol L^?1 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (1.98 V vs. SCE). The addition of SA to BFEE can further decrease the oxidation potential onset of the monomer to 1.18 V versus SCE in the mixed electrolyte of BFEE + 5% SA. PDPE films obtained from this medium showed good redox activity and stability even in concentrated SA. Dedoped PDPE films were partly soluble in the strong polar organic solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. Fluorescent spectral studies indicated that soluble PDPE was a good blue‐light emitter with a quantum yield of 0.30. Infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations indicated that the electropolymerization of DPE occurred mainly at C₄ and C_4′. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5932–5941, 2007