Synthesis and characterization of tetracyanoquinodimethane polyurethanes

Synthetic and eletrochemical studies directed towards electroactive polymers for fabrication of modified electrodes are presented. The monomer, 2,5-Bls(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoqulnodlmethane (TCNQ diol) has well behaved electrochemical properties which have permitted us to carry out a systematic study of the extent to which polymer properties dictate the electrochemical behavior. This monomer Is covalently Incorporated In the backbone of polyurethanes via solution polycondensation reactions.

The polyurethanes are prepared by the polycondensation of TCNQ diol with methylene bis(4-phenyllsocyanate), MDI, to give PU-MDI, 1,4-toluene diisocyanate, TDI, to give PU-TDI and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, HMDI, to give PU-HMDI.

The effects of different counter Ions, solvents and pH on the electrochemical behavior of the polymers are examined. The characterization methods employed Include spectrophotoraetrlc techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance, electrochemical methods, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis.