The chemical stability of TCNQ‐. anion radical salts containing a low‐molecular weight and polymer cation

The chemical stability of anion radical TCNQ ‐. salts derived from low‐molecular weight and polymer 1,3‐disubstituted imidazoles and poly(trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate) was investigated spectrophotometrically in dimethylformamide as a function of time, water content and the presence of oxygen. The low‐molecular weight TCNQ ‐. salts are stable in anhydrous DMF also in the presence of oxygen. Polymer salts are decomposed already in anhydrous DMF in an ihert atmosphere. The decomposition products are the known α,α‐dicyano‐p‐toluoyl‐cyanide and the still unidentified compound with an intensive absorption at 330 nm. Along with protolytic reactions, direct oxidation with oxygen also participates in the decomposition of TCNQ ‐. in aqueous DMF in the presence of oxygen.