Abstract

The presence of catechol during the electropolymerisation of phenylene-1,2-diamine from neutral solutions has been shown to result in a significant increase in the incorporation of phenazine redox groups into the polymer backbone. The influence of catechol concentration on the resulting redox polymer activity was investigated and a possible mechanism proposed. The versatility of the method for introducing modified phenazine groups into the polymer structure was investigated through the incorporation of two substituted catechol derivatives, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The applicability of the polymer for the reduction of cytochrome c in solution was assessed by spectroelectrochemical methods. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd