In situ UV–vis- and FT-IR-spectroscopy of electrochemically synthesized furan–thiophene copolymers

Electrochemical copolymerization of furan and thiophene was performed at constant electrode potential in a binary solvent system consisting of boron trifluoride-ethyl ether and an additional amount of ethyl ether (mole ratio 1:2). The homopolymers and copolymers obtained were studied with in situ UV–vis- and FT-IR-spectroscopy. An electrochemical degradation mechanism for furan–thiophene copolymers in acetonitrile and in aqueous solution is proposed based on FT-IR spectroscopy data.