Functional monomers and polymers. LIX. Properties and function of Cu(II) complexes of the copolymers having pendant sulfide and imidazolyl groups

The Cu(II) complexes of copolymers having pendant sulfide and imidazolyl groups were prepared by a free radical copolymerization of ethylvinylsulfide with vinylimidazole, and their properties and function were studied spectrophotometrically in comparison with those of poly[4(5)‐vinylimidazole]. The complexes were found to be effective as catalysts for the oxidation of hydroquinone. Visible and ESR spectra of the Cu(II)‐copolymer complexes were similar to those of the Cu(II)‐homopolymer complexes, while the catalytic activity for the oxidation was different between these complex systems. A rapid reaction followed by a slow reaction, particularly at high ethylvinylsulfide content in the copolymers, was observed in the Cu(II)‐copolymer complex systems, but a continuous reaction proportional to the reaction time was observed in the Cu(II)‐homopolymer complex systems. The reoxidation rate of Cu(I) to Cu(II) complex, which was little affected by the concentration of imidazolyl group, decreased with a rise of the ethylvinylsulfide content in the copolymer. It was suggested that the sulfur atom of the sulfide group was weakly coordinated to Cu(II) but strongly to Cu(I), and an electron transfer reaction from substrate to the Cu(II) complex was increased, while reoxidation reaction of the Cu(I) complex was decreased in the copolymer complex systems.