Characterization and Electrocatalytic Activity of Poly(4-thienylacetyl-oxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy) Prepared by Electrochemical Polymerization

The TEMPO derivative 4-thienylacetyl-oxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy (ThAcOTEMPO) is synthesized and its polymer (p-ThAcOTEMPO) is successfully prepared on Pt electrode in boron fluoride ethyl ether by electrochemical polymerization. The electrocatalytic performance of p-ThAcOTEMPO for oxidation of benzyl alcohol in CH3CN solution has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and in situ FTIR. p-ThAcOTEMPO exhibits perfect electrocatalytic activity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in the presence of 2,6-lutidine as the base. The oxidation mechanism of benzyl alcohol on p-ThAcOTEMPO is analyzed. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.