A Highly Electron-Deficient Analogue of Aniline, Soluble Oligomers, and Their Redox Properties

Abstract

The synthesis and electrochemical oxidative coupling of a highly electron-deficient analogue of aniline results in the formation of soluble electron-deficient oligomers. Oligomers undergo related oxidation and reduction processes that are separated by a wide potential range. The mechanism behind this behavior is examined by cyclic voltammetry, optical absorption spectroscopy, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. Mesomeric isomerization of the oxidized oligomers leads to a very stable oxidized state that requires a large (2.8 V) overpotential to return to the neutral form