ARYLIDENE POLYMERS .1. SYNTHESIS, DOPING AND ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF POLY(ARYLIDENECYCLOALKANONES)

A new class of polyconjugated polymers namely poly(2,5-arylidenecyclopentanone) and poly(2,6-arylidenecyclohexanone) has been obtained by condensation of cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone with terephthaldehyde. Copolymerization of the corresponding monomers were also carried out. The model compounds were prepared from cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone with benzaldehyde and their structures were elucidated by IR, NMR, and elemental analyses. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, viscometry, DSC measurements, thermogravimetric and X-ray analyses. Electrical conductivities in the insulating range 10(-10) - 10(-12) (ohm cm)-1 were observed for the polymers 1,2, while the copolymers 3 gave 10(-9) (ohm cm)-1. Doping with iodine increases the semiconducting values of the polymers 10(-7) - 10(-8) (ohm cm)-1, whereas the increase in case of copolymer was more distinct 10(-6) (ohm cm)-1.