Interfacial oxidative polymerization of phenothiazine

Phenothiazine polymers have been prepared for the first time by interfacial oxidative polymerization. Effects of the concentration and ratio of reagents, temperature, and time of reaction on the yield and molecular mass characteristics of polyphenothiazine are investigated. The study of phenothiazine oxidation indicates that high-molecular-mass products can be prepared if this reaction is carried out in the absence of acids, in contrast to the classical oxidative polymerization of aniline. It is shown that phenothiazine polymers are characterized by a low oxidation state. IR spectroscopy is employed to investigate the chemical structure of the polymers as depending on the synthesis conditions. The propagation of polyphenothiazine chains occurs via the C-C addition in para positions of phenyl rings relative to nitrogen.