Charge-Transfer Interactions of Aluminum Copper(I) Chloride with Polystyrene and Related Compounds

Abstract

Interactions between polystyrene and aluminum copper(I) chloride (AlCuCl₄) were investigated by various spectroscopic measurements in order to elucidate the structure of polystyrene-AlCuCl₄ complex in solution and the mechanism of water resistance of the complex as a carbon monoxide absorbent. The chemical shift (101 ppm) and half line width (145 Hz) of AlCuCl₄ in benzene by ²⁷Al-NMR suggest a dimer structure bridged by two chlorine atoms, which is almost identical with that of aluminum chloride. The coordination of benzene or other aromatic compounds to AlCuCl₄ was confirmed by charge-transfer bands in UV and visible absorptions. The equilibrium constants (K) for complex formation of AlCuCl₄ with various aromatic compounds were determined by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. In the case of AlCuCl₄ and benzene in 1,2-dichloroethane, for example, K is 2.2 M ⁻¹ at 303 K. For the polymer complex solution and 1,3-diphenyl-propane solution, strong charge-transfer bands have been observed in the wavelength region at about 380 to 500 nm, where no band is observed in benzene derivatives. This strong charge-transfer band is considered to be due to the strong interaction of AlCuCl₄ with adjacent aromatic rings of polystyrene or 1,3-diphenylpropane of a chelate type, which, as a result, causes the water resistance of the present carbon monoxide absorbent system.