An electron spin resonance study of the thermal decomposition of poly(1,6-di- N-carbazolyl-2,4-hexadiyne)

Abstract

By monitoring the thermal decomposition of poly(1,6-di- N-carbazolyl-2,4-hexadiyne), through the use of an electron spin resonance (e.s.r.) spectrometer, it was possible to measure the spin concentrations associated with the decomposition process. Two types of experiments were conducted: in one the decomposition reaction was carried out within the e.s.r. unit, while in the second the decomposition was performed externally under an inert atmosphere, after which the decomposed material was examined. Both types of experiment yielded similar results, and these appeared to exclude a free-radical chain mechanism as the major mechanism of decomposition. The proposed mechanism involves side-group cleavage, followed by hydrogen abstraction by the carbazole radical, to form carbazole as the main reaction product.