CHEMICAL OXIDATIVE POLYMERIZATION OF ANILINE WITH FERRIC-CHLORIDE

Aniline was chemically oxidized and polymerized in water with FeCl3, with emphasis on molecular weight and yield. Reaction conditions, including reaction temperature, electrochemical equivalent ratio (FeCl3/aniline), reaction time, aniline and HCl concentrations, and atmosphere (in air and in N2) were investigated and optimized. At an optimum condition, 20400 of number average molecular weight and 51% of yield were obtained. The product was assumed emeraldine by elemental analysis, solid state C-13 NMR and IR spectroscopy. The effects of the reaction condition are discussed on the basis of the mechanisms which are proposed for electrochemical polymerization of aniline.