A Conducting Polymer Formed from the Anodic Oxidation of Toluene in Acetonitrile

As opposed to the much harsher conditions demanded in homogeneous solutions, a conducting polymer of toluene is readily formed by anodic oxidation of acetonitrile solutions containing the precursor. The fabrication of new conductive polymers is of interest due to the potential practical applications of these materials. We report here the electrochemical polymerization of a conducting polymer from toluene precursor. Anodic oxidation of concentrated solutions 0.5 M toluene in anhydrous acetonitrile solution containing 0.15 M Bu4NBF4-leads to the formation of a highly conductive polymethylphenylene polymer film on the surface of a platinum mirror electrode bulk metal. The polymer can also be formed in solutions of lower concentrations 1-10 mM, but only after successive pulsing or sweeping techniques at high positive potentials 1.8 vs AgAg for long periods of time. Keywords Phenylenes, Methyl radicals, Silver.