Conjugated polymeric S CHIFF'S bases. Thermally stable polymers with low electrical resistivity

Polymeric SCHIFF's bases have been obtained by the condensation of conjugated dialdehydes, such as glyoxal and terephthalaldehyde, with conjugated diamines such as phenylenediamine or diamino phenol. Low molecular weight coloured polymers are obtained from aqueous systems, while high molecular weight black polymers are obtained by dilute solution condensation in dimethyl sulphoxide. The electrical conductivities of these polymers at room temperature range from 10−7 to 10−11ohm−1cm−1. Spectroscopic, electron spin resonance and conductivity measurements all suggest that there is considerable electron delocalisation both through the CHN‐linkage and accross the meta positions of the aromatic nucleus. The high molecular weight compounds exhibit remarkable thermal stability.