ELECTROCHEMICAL POLYMERIZATION OF N-ALKENYLPYRROLES

The electrochemical oxidation of N-vinylpyrrole and N-allylpyrrole at the platinum electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The 2'2'-polymerization of N-vinyipyrrole is suppressed by the competitive polymerization at the vinyl site, which is catalysed by the H+ ions liberated by the electrochemical oxidation. This leads to the formation of an electroinactive film, blocking the electrode surface. On the other hand, N-allylpyrrole gives a conducting polymer film similar to polypyrrole or polyvinylcarbazole. Its electric conductivity amounts to about 10(-2) S cm(-1).