Synthesis, characterization, and properties of poly(2- and 3-aminophenol) and poly(2- and 3-aminophenol)-Cu(II) materials

Summary Poly(2-aminophenol) and poly(3-aminophenol) were synthesized from the respective monomers by using CuCl₂ × 2H₂O and ammonium persulfate as oxidizing agents in HCl(aq). The materials were characterized by FT-IR, X- ray electron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (ESR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity. The poly(2-aminophenol) presented a higher copper(II) content than that of poly(3-aminophenol), moreover as shown by ESR measurements, Cu appears homogeneously dispersed in the former, poly(2-amino phenol), while it seems not to be the case in the latter. The electrical conductivity did not depend on the conditions of synthesis as well as of the hydroxyl groups position. The results indicate that the polymers have several branched rings and their thermal stability increased by the presence of the copper ions into the polymer matrix. Received: 7 August 2002/Revised version: 8 November 2002/ Accepted: 12 November 2002 Correspondence to B. L. Rivas