Anode-active poly(benzonitrile-2,5-diyl) prepared by dehalogenation polycondensation

Poly (benzonitrile-2,5-diyl) (PBN) was prepared conveniently starting with 2,5-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB). Polymerization was carried out in the presence of nickel (0) catalyst. PBN was found to be soluble in DMF and DMSO at 140°C. A cast film of PBN exhibited both reduction and oxidation peaks clearly at −2.18 and −1.95 V vs. Ag/Ag+, respectively, in acetonitrile with Bu4NBF4 as electrolyte. The amount of charge, Q, exchanged during the redox cycle was found to be 0.34 electron per monomeric unit, which suggests that PBN might be used as a charge storage material.