The electro‐initiated cationic polymerization of indene, 1

Abstract

The electro-initiated anodic polymerization of indene in ethylene dichloride solutions of tetraethylammonium hexachloroantimonate and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as background electrolytes was studied. The polymerization was conducted either under continuous electrolysis or by addition of the monomer to the pre-electrolysed solution of the salt. The polymer formation was affected by the amount of electricity, the monomer concentration, and the nature of the electrolytes. The rate and degree of polymerization with the hexachloroantimonate salt are relatively high in comparison with the perchlorate salt. The characteristically colored species, formed during polymerization, were investigated spectrophotometrically. Mechanisms for the initiation processes of both procedures were elucidated.