Low potential electrosyntheses of high quality freestanding polyazulene films

High quality freestanding polyazulene (PAz) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of azulene (Az) in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The oxidation potential of Az in this medium was measured to be only 0.75 V vs. SCE. PAz films obtained from BFEE showed good electrochemical behavior with conductivity of 2.2 S cm− 1, which indicated that BFEE was a good medium for the electrosyntheses of PAz films. Structural studies implied that the Az units remained intact in the isolated 1,3-polyazulene. As-formed PAz films were insoluble in common organic solvents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrosyntheses of freestanding PAz films in BFEE.