Isomeric Effects on Structures and Properties of Polyaminophenols Synthesized in Basic Medium

Abstract

The oxidative chemical polymerizations of three isomers of aminophenol, ortho, meta, and para (PoAP, PmAP, PpAP) were performed in aqueous NaOH using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant. Solubility tests for the synthesized polymers were performed in various solvents and it was found that all three polymers are soluble in DMSO and DMF. PpAP is soluble in aqueous strong acid, as well as in base, but PoAP is soluble in acid, whereas PmAP is soluble in base. The difference in their solubility is due to their structural difference, which can be supported by the proposed mechanisms of polymerizations. The film casting from the DMF or DMSO solution of PoAP and PpAP is difficult due to the presence of quinone impurity while casting of PmAP film from DMSO solution is possible. The intrinsic viscosities of the polymers were determined from the DMSO solution. The polymers were characterized by UV-VIS, FTIR and¹H-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. From structural analysis, it is found that PoAP and PpAP do not contain π -electron conjugation due to ether linkage in the backbone chain. So, PoAP and PpAP do not show any conductivity like sulfuric acid doped PmAP.

Keywords:

• Polymer of aminophenols
• polyaminophenol
• conducting polymer
• polymer of aniline derivatives

Acknowledgement

We gratefully acknowledge the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India for providing fellowship to one of the authors, Pradip Kar.