Abstract
Redoxable poly[trans‐1,2‐di(2‐furyl)ethylene] films (PDFE) were synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of trans‐1,2‐di(2‐furyl)ethylene (DFE). Acetonitrile, benzonitrile, nitromethane and propylene carbonate proved to be useful solvents for this polymerization reaction. Suitable supporting electrolytes are tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP), tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate and lithium perchlorate. To avoid irreversible overoxidation of the polymer, the potential should not exceed 1,15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The maintenance of the furan rings in the polymer can be gathered from the reflection IR spectrum. The redoxability of the polymer can be proved by means of the UV/Vis spectrum, which shows a shift of maximum absorption from 310 nm in the reduced state to 345 nm in the oxidized state. PDFE shows an electrochromic behaviour. The potential of oxidation of DFE lies in the same range as the analogous thiophene derivative trans‐1,2‐di(2‐thienyl)ethylene (DTE). A comparison of the polymer PDFE and its corresponding thiophene derivative poly[trans‐1,2‐di(2‐thienyl)ethylene] (PDTE) shows that PDFE is more sensitive to overoxidation, and its electrical conductivity is several orders of magnitude lower.