Films by anodic oxidation of mercaptoanilines AT Cu electrodes

The anodic oxidation of mercaptoanilines at different metal anodes proves that coherent coatings may be formed in situ on copper only, using the meta isomer. These coatings probably from through the oxidation of an intermediate Cu-3-mercaptoaniline complex, which leaves high copper content in the polymer deposit: however, such materials impart outstanding corrosion protection to the substrate. It is suggested that, after easy dimerization of the monometer to disulfide, C—S coupling reactions play a basic role in the constitution of the polymeric network.