Anodic polymerization of difluorenyls linked with polyether or alkyl spacers: synthesis of polyfluorenes with potential complexing properties

The electrochemical synthesis of new polydifluorenyls bearing polyether or alkyl substituents is described. The polymerization process (in terms of yield and mechanism) is discussed, as well as the electrochemical behavior and the physicochemical properties of the new polymers. Their affinity with K+, Na+ and Cs+ is pointed out when analyzing the reduction of poly(IV) or the reduction of a bilayer of polybenzhydrylidenefluorene/poly(I, II, III or IV).