Synthesis of a [60]fullerene‐functionalized poly(vinyl chloride) derivative by stereospecific chemical modification of PVC

The covalent attachment of [60]fullerene (C 60 ) to two poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) samples with different isotactic content is achieved by direct reaction in o ‐dichlorobenzene ( o ‐DCB) solution in the presence of AIBN. The extent of fullerenation is controlled by varying the C 60 feed ratio. The pendant C 60 ‐chemically modified PVC polymers are soluble in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and have been characterized by UV–vis, NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA, cyclic voltammetry, and SEM. The quantitative microstructural analysis after covalent attachment of the bulky C 60 moiety to the PVC has been followed by 13 C NMR spectroscopy. From the results it can be concluded that the modification of PVC by graft reaction through free radical reaction proceeds by a stereoselective mechanism. This conclusion has been confirmed on the basis of the increase of the glass‐transition temperature ( T g ) and the thermal stability of the C 60 ‐chemical modified PVC samples. The fullerenated PVCs obtained show good electron acceptor properties, as evidenced by electrochemical investigations.