MODIFICATION OF POLYANILINES PROPERTIES USING MACROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

Modification of the polyanilines properties using macrocyclic compounds was studied using two aniline derivatives: aniline and aniline N-propanesulfonic acid. The polymers were obtained by oxidative chemical polymerisation with ammonium peroxidisulfate as oxidant, in the presence of two macrocycles having accessible and hydrophobic cavities: β-cyclodextrin and cucurbit[6]uril. Both monomers have formed inclusion complexes with macrocyle, evidenced by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Polymerisation of aniline/ β -cyclodextrin adduct led to main-chain pseudorotaxane polyaniline, soluble in polar solvents. The second monomer polymerised in the presence of cucurbit[6]uril, led to a water-insoluble polymer network with macrocycles threaded on the side-chains and/or between two polymer chains as physical crosslinking agent. The physical crosslinking of ionic polyaniline (PANS) with cucurbit[6]uril was also evidenced. Solubility, hydrophilicity and morphology of polymers obtained in the presence of macrocycles are modified.