Charge transfer interactions and redox states in poly(N-methylaniline) and its complexes

Abstract

Poly(N-methylaniline) (PMAN) complexes have been synthesized by oxidative polymerization of N-methylaniline in a 1 M HCl solution of (NH4)2S2O8 and in acetonitrile solution of Fe(ClO4)3·9H2O. The PMAN base is susceptible to (i) protonation by protonic acids, (ii) oxidation by inorganic and organic oxidants and (iii) self-doping upon sulfonation. The structures, chemical compositions and doping/protonation levels of the various complexes have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS results suggest that PMAN is capable of assuming a 50% oxidized structure, instead of the deprotonated 14% oxidized structure reported earlier. © 1992.