Poly(methacrylic acid)‐bound dihydroxybenzene units: Redox polymers

Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) was functionalized with a hydroquinone/catechol under the reaction conditions of Minisci. Optimum conditions for maximum functionalization (52%) were found to be as follows: [benzoquinone]/[PMAA] ratio, 0.75; reaction time, 3 h; temperature, 75°C; and a nitrogen atmosphere. Redox properties of hydroquinone/catechol‐modified PMAA (PMAA‐HQ) were evaluated by their midpotentials potentiometrically estimated to be 898 mV at 20°C. At 35°C, a two‐stage oxidation was observed with a midpotential of 1000 mV. These midpotentials were found to be higher than those of hydroquinone, catechol, and a 1 : 1 hydroquinone‐catechol mixture, under the same conditions of potentiometric titration. Under the modification reaction conditions, the modified PMAA underwent severe degradation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 954–961, 2006