Electron‐transfer polymers. XXXVIII. Further investigation of “polymer effects” with self‐protected polymer

Abstract

Abstract3‐Methacrylyloxymethyl‐5,7,8‐trimethylchroman‐6‐01 (MMC) was prepared, polymerized, and copolymerized. Poly‐MMC, a reduced redox polymer, is stable to air and is oxidized readily. The redox behaviors of poly‐MMC and copolymers with vinyl acetate were compared with that of 3‐propionyloxymethyl‐5,7,8‐trimethylchroman‐6‐o1 (PMC), the model monomer. The titration curves of the polymers were flat as is usual with redox polymers, and showed higher midpoint potentials than the model monomer. One factor in this “polymer effect” was found to be adsorption of oxidized polymer on the electrode. But there seem still to be present other factors yet to be clarified.

Electron‐transfer polymers (oxidation‐reduction polymers)

“…This is an acetal which is very stable to base and which is readily removed by acid (184), but which permits vinyl polymerization. An alternative route to redox polymer was developed by Wegner and Nakabayashi (191)(192)(193)(194)(195)(196)(240)(241)(242)(243). They prepared condensation polymers in which during polymerization the redox function was in the oxidized state, and thus not in need of protection, or else was ingeniously self-protected (193,194).…”

“…This suggested that a polymer be designed with hydroxyl in the $-position to the hydroquinone ring. A model copolymer was made from 3-acetoxy-6-methoxy-2,4,5trimethylstyrene (VII) with vinyl acetate (Scheme I (194)).…”