Synthesis,characterization and SEESR spectroscopic investigations of indole/aniline copolymers

Indole/aniline copolymers were synthesized electrochemically and the polymerization mechanism was investigated via in‐situ simultaneous electrochemical electron spin resonance (SEESR) spectroscopy. The Radical cationic intermediates of substituted indole and aniline were detected during the electrochemical oxidation. The resulting ESR‐spectra with hyperfine splitting were simulated and radicalic structures were identified. It was suggested that the polymerization occurs over positions C‐3 and C‐6 of indole molecule and over the nitrogen and para‐position of aniline. Furthermore, aniline, indole and aniline/indole copolymers were investigated depending on applied potential via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008