Electrochemical preparation of poly(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene)

Summary p-Dimethoxybenzene was electro-oxidatively polymerized to give poly(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene) with high yield. 1,4-Structure of polyphenylene was confirmed by ¹³C-NMR and IR spectrum. The polymer was deposited on electrode, and electrolysis solvent affected the polymer yield and morphology of the polymer. In a strongly basic solvent the polymerization was inhibited, which suggests that cation radical of p-dimethoxybenzene is an active species of this polymerization.