Chemical synthesis and characterization of fluoro-substituted polyanilines

Polyfluoroanilines can be synthesized chemically from fluorine-substituted aniline monomers by an acid assisted persulfate initiated polymerization route typically used for polyaniline synthesis. Successful polymerizations of 2 and 3-fluoroanilines have been accomplished. Typical polymer yields are between 3-7% by weight. In contrast, poly(4-fluoroaniline) undergoes dehalogenation during polymerization, where the fluorine is displaced allowing for the more favorable head-to-tail polymerization of aniline. Characterizations of the polymer products have been carried out using UV-VIS, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and relative solubilities of the polyfluoroaniline powders determined in various organic solvents.