X-Ray diffraction characterization of parasexiphenylene intercalated electrochemically with sodium

Parasexiphenylene electrochemically intercalated with sodium was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Two successive stages were formed when the intercalation was carried out using an EC–NaClO4 electrolyte. We investigated the structural modifications occurring during the intercalation and the deintercalation processes. A structural model was proposed for the highly intercalated compound of ideal composition Na0.5(C6H4), which exhibits a well ordered structure whereas the intermediate stage Na0.33(C6H4) does not. The doping alkaline ions are located along rows parallel to the molecules planes. A switch of the organic chains occurred leading to an arrangement in which two organic molecules surround the sodium columns. This structural model was compared to the ones reported so far for alkaline metal intercalated polyparaphenylene.