Spectroelectrochemical studies of poly(5-cyanoindole) in aqueous medium

The electrochemical redox processes of poly(5-cyanoindole) (P5CN) in acidic aqueous solutions were investigated using in situ Raman and optical absorption spcctroscopy. Vibrational assignments were made on the basis of the results obtained on polyindole and P5CN in acetonitrile solution. The drastic changes in optical absorption and Raman spectra observed at various oxidation stages were explained by the conversions between at least three different structures.