Electrochemical Synthesis of Electrically Conducting Polymers from Aromatic Compounds

Amorphous, electrically conducting polymeric films can be deposited from acetonitrile solutions of specific aromatic compounds containing an appropriate electrolyte. Free-standing films peeled off a platinum electrode have electrical conductivities σ between 10
⁻³
and 1 Ω
⁻¹
-cm
⁻¹
. Polymers resembling the better-known polypyrrole have been obtained from benzenoid, nonbenzenoid, and heterocyclic monomers. A few characteristic examples are discussed to highlight the characterization efforts. Also discussed are the chemical investigations which have provided some insight into the mechanism of formation and the structure of these conducting polymers.