Electrochemical synthesis and structure of poly(2-methyl-1-naphthylamine) films

Abstract

A novel polymer, poly(2-methyl-1-naphthylamine), which was synthesized electrochemically at various temperatures from a solution containing 2-methyl-1-naphthylamine, acetic acid and sodium acetate, was characterized by IR spectroscopy. The structural conclusions were based on comparisons of polymer spectra with the IR-spectrum of the monomer, 2-methyl-1-naphthylamine. IR spectroscopy indicates that the electropolymerization proceeds via the -NH 2 groups and that the poly(2- methyl-1-naphthylamine) structure consists of imine (-N=C) and amine (-NH-C) links between naphthalene rings as well as a free methyl groups in the chains. An analysis of the "substitution pattern" region in the polymer's spectra suggests that the polymer molecules were formed via mixed N-C(4), N-C(5) and N-C(7) linkages between repeated units. The ratio of between the 1645 and 1620 cm -1 peak areas decreases with increased temperature during synthesis, indicating that 25°C is the best temperature to obtain higher molecular weights.