Electro-oxidative Polymerization of 2, 6-Dimethylphenoxide Ion in the Presence of Bromide Ion as a Mediator

Abstract

Anodic oxidation of 2, 6-dimethylphenol in an alkaline dichloromethane in the presence of bromide ion gave poly [oxy (2, 6-dimethy1-1, 4-phenylene] with high efficiency. 4-Bromo-2, 6-dimethylphenol was isolated from the reaction mixture during the electrolysis. Bromide ion is assumed to serve as a mediator of electro-oxidative polymerization. The mechanism of this polymerization was discussed on the basis of results obtained in the measurements including cyclic voltammetry and double potential-step chronocoulometry.