Solid state NMR analysis of polypyrrole grown in a phosphonium ionic liquid

31P, 19F and 13C solid state NMR analysis has been used to investigate the intercalation/de-intercalation of both anions and cations in electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole films. Use of a phosphonium-based ionic liquid, tri(hexyl)(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, allows the separate detection of the cation and anion by analysis of the phosphorous and fluorine resonances, respectively. Initial results indicate the incorporation of both cations and anions during film growth in the ionic liquid. There is a notable change in the 31P chemical shift of the cation on incorporation into the film, consistent with a significant change in environment compared to the pure ionic liquid. Despite its large size, the phosphonium cation can be completely expelled from the film by oxidation.