Molecular weight monitoring of poly(2‐[[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) depending on polymerization conditions: investigation of thermal stability, antimicrobial properties, and conductivity enhancement

Abstract

AbstractA novel polyphenol with azomethine group, Poly(2‐[[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) P(2‐DBAP), was synthesized by oxidative polycondensation of 2‐[[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]amino]phenol) (2‐DBAP) using NaOCl, H2O2, and O2 oxidants in aqueous alkaline medium. The effects of oxidant type and concentration, monomer concentration and polymerization temperature and time on yield and molecular weight distribution of P(2‐DBAP) were investigated. The structures of 2‐DBAP and P(2‐DBAP) were confirmed by UV‐Vis, FTIR, and 1HNMR techniques. Thermal behavior of the polymer was also analyzed by TG‐DTG techniques. Electrical conductivity value of P(2‐DBAP) which was doped with iodine for 24 hr at 60°C was measured as 7 × 10−2 S/cm by increasing 1010 fold compared with its undoped form. This conductivity level is the highest value reported in the literature for polyphenols containing azomethine group. Additionally, antimicrobial activities of 2‐DBAP and P(2‐DBAP) were tested against Sarcina lutea, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus Feacalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi.