New Polyaniline Derivative with Two Central Ester Groups: Synthesis, Characterization, and Theoretical Study

A new polyaniline derivative was prepared to study the formation of quinoid-diimine units in its polymer. The monomer and polymer were experimentally and theoretically characterized. Both polymers have one or two electron-withdrawing groups as side substituents. The polymers' quinoid-diimine unit composition is affected by the electron-withdrawing side groups of aniline. The presence of the quinoid-diimine group diminished for the two electron-withdrawing groups of aniline. The polymer conductivity is different than with respect to polyemeraldine, associated with the quinoid-diimine units' composition. The quinoid-diimine composition is strongly increased in the polymer containing one electron-withdrawing group. Moreover, the polymer presented good solubility in organic solvents and moderate thermal stability.