ELECTROSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY(1,4-PHENYLENE) FILMS WITH IMPROVED ELECTROACTIVITY

Homogeneous undoped films of poly(1,4-phenylene) (PPP) can be deposited onto a solid cathode by electroreduction of 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl (DBB) activated by an unusual zero-valent nickel complex. The Ni(O)D2, described as a non-reactive complex against aromatic halide, is obtained by electrochemical reduction of NiCl2D and D [D = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinoethane)] equimolar mixture. Electrodeposition was carried out from electroanalytical study of the above complex without and then with DBB.PPP thin layers exhibit an improved electroactivity; indeed, they can either be oxidized or unusually reduced in the presence of lithium salt as supporting electrolyte in acetonitrile.