Generic Electropolymerization Mechanism

In Chapter 1, we discussed very briefly the broad division of CP syntheses into chemical and electrochemical, and very briefly described the electrochemical synthesis and the mechanism thereof for P(Py). The clear difference in mechanisms between chemical and electrochemical syntheses of CPs described in Chapter 1 appears to be preserved for most CPs. 

1) The initiation step, (monomer) radical generation, via electrochemical oxidation  

2) Propagation via a) radical-radical recombination, not radical-monomer combination, b) loss of two protons from the radical-radical intermediate species, generating the dimer c) electrochemical oxidation of the dimer, generating another, oligomeric radical d) combination of this or similar oligomeric radicals with monomer radicals and repeat of steps 2b and 2c, building up the polymer  

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