Irreversibility, polymer chain absorption

Thermogravimetric curves for the polyacetylene, there are two exothermic peaks at 145 and 325°C [16]. The first of these corresponds to an irreversible cis-trans isomerization. Migration of hydrogen occurs at 325°C, open chain and cross-linking without the formation of polyacetylene volatile products. The color of the polymer becomes brown. A large number of defects appears. In the infrared spectrum there are absorption bands characteristic of the CH, CH3, -C=C- and -C2H5- groups [16]. 

The phenanthroline-containing ligands 66a and b (Chart 5.19) have been incorporated into Cu complexes and electropolymerized [74]. The geometry at the Cu" " center in poly-[Cu(66a)2] and poly-[Cu(66b)2] was probed using X-ray absorption. It was shown that the Cu centers in poly-[Cu(66b)2] contribute to the conductivity of the film. Removal of the copper with cyanide causes the structure of the polymer to irreversibly collapse in poly-[Cu(66a)2], whereas the presence of the hexyl chains in poly-[Cu(66b)2] help to maintain an intact polymer structure after the removal of the metal. 

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