An Anhydrous Proton Conductor Based on Lactam–Lactim Tautomerism of Uracil

Proton-conducting composite salts were obtained by doping uracil (U) with monodecyl phosphate (MDP). The proton-transfer reaction of the composite salt involves the lactam form of U at low MDP doping ratios, and the lactim form at high ratios (see picture). A proton conductivity of 6×10−4 S cm−1 was achieved at 160 °C under anhydrous conditions, and the material is thus of interest for applications in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2267/2004/z1015_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.