Polyaniline containing palladium — new conjugated polymer supported catalysts

Palladium can be incorporated into polyaniline (PANI) in the polyemeraldine base form via its treatment with PdCl2 aqueous solutions containing various amounts of HCl. PANI is doped in all the cases, but the oxidation level of palladium introduced into the polymer matrix depends upon the acidity of the PdCl2 solution. After the reaction in highly acidic solutions Pd2+ is exclusively present in the matrix, whereas upon PANI contact with the solutions of low acidity partial reduction of Pd2+ to Pd0 with simultaneous oxidation of the polymer takes place. PANI-Pd systems are active in the catalytic hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone. Their activity depends on preparation conditions.