Electronitiated polymerization of maleic anhydride by direct electron transfer

Controlled potential electrolysis was employed to accomplish homopolymerization of maleic anhydride, by direct electron transfer. The solvent used in the polymerization studies was acetonitrile–dimethylformamide mixture (1 : 1) with the supporting electrolyte tetrabutylammonium tetra fluroborate, A brown paramagnetic polymer was obtained from the catholyte, upon electroreduction of monomer.