Synthesis and chemical properties of polyphenols with oligoaniline pendant groups

Horseradish peroxidaze (HRP)- or N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamineiron(III)-catalyzed polymerizations of 4-(4-phenylaminophenylamino)phenol (monomer-1) and 4-[4-(4-phenylaminophenylamino)phenylamino]phenol (monomer-2) caused oxidative coupling at the hydroxyphenyl group to yield polyphenols (PPs) with pendant oligoaniline (OAN) groups. UV-vis measurements suggested that the OAN pendant groups of the polymers were oxidized in air, resulting in the formation of quinoid structures, which were converted into benzonoid structures by treatment with hydrazine monohydrate. The polymers were electrochemically oxidized in solution.